RAPID CITY, S.D. – New Underwood Volunteer Firefighters have resigned, citing what they call in a letter “politically motivated attacks.”
The firefighters posted a letter of mass resignation on their Facebook page Tuesday, citing “untenable conditions” imposed on them by the New Underwood Fire Protection District.
The letter, addressed to fire district Chairman of the Board Casey Knupp and penned by Fire Chief Caleb Dustman, announced the resignation of all volunteer firefighters with the department.
Pennington County Fire Administrator Jerome Harvey says they have cooperative agreements with multiple agencies and will be able to outsource fire personnel in New Underwood if necessary. He says despite the seriousness of the walkout, emergency response times should not be impacted.
A spokesperson for the New Underwood firefighters says they will bring their concerns to the State’s Attorney General’s Office.
Multiple people in New Underwood reported a public meeting hosted by the volunteer fire department will take place Thursday at 6 p.m.
