SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A spat involving the Sevier County Volunteer Rescue Squad, the Sevier County Commission and the Sevier County Fire Chiefs' Association shows a sharp divide over perception of the rescue squad's effectiveness.
The commission last month cut some funding for the rescue squad. The move followed a vote last year of the fire chiefs' group that expressed a lack of confidence in the squad's performance.
Rescue squad officials say their members are well trained, but use training that is different from that used by the fire departments.
But a letter from the chiefs' association states there has been "a noticeable steady decline in the SCVRS ability and technical skills."
