County officials were scheduled to discuss the future of Hancock’s Rescue Squad on Tuesday, following up on apparent recent resignations from the department that leave its operations in question.

According to the agenda of the Morgan County Board of County Commissioners for April 28, officials are to discuss entering into a memorandum of understanding between Hancock Rescue Squad and Washington County Board of County Commissioners which would authorize the Division of Emergency Services to assume interim oversight and management of all administrative and operational functions of the department.

The agenda says a presentation was to be made by Director of Division of Emergency Services R. David Hays, Deputy Director David Chisholm, and Volunteer Coordinator Oley Griffith.

According to the agenda, the commissioners were advised the Hancock Rescue Squad had experienced several resignations from its administrative officers, leaving the commissioners with concerns about the sustainability and viability of Company 59.

The Hancock News reached out to Chief Steve Barnhart last Friday for comment and more detail. Barnhart told The News he was no longer associated with Hancock Rescue Squad.

As many volunteer departments around the country, Hancock Rescue Squad has seen a decline in volunteer membership over the last 10 to 15 years.

On the side of the Rescue Squad’s building along Main Street, a banner hangs, seeking volunteers.

Although there have been multiple efforts by the Rescue Squad to strengthen its volunteer roster, the number of active volunteers has continued to decline. Paid crews from the county do staff the station in addition to volunteer responders.

According to county documents, on March 31, commissioners directed the Department of Emergency Services and other county departments to immediately begin a review of the overall operations of Hancock Rescue Squad and include financial accountability and spending.

The review was deemed necessary to determine the “viability and sustainability” of Hancock Rescue Squad.

Officials said Hancock Rescue Squad is prepared to execute documents that would meet all requirements set forth in the MOU.

The MOU says Hancock Rescue Squad is experiencing distress due to the insufficient volunteers and may consider dissolution of the corporation, or the legal process of terminating a corporate entity.

The Rescue Squad and the Division of Emergency Services already have an agreement dating back to September 16, 2024, which created an operational relationship where Hancock Rescue Squad would provide the building, apparatus, and volunteer staffing for EMS and Department of Emergency provides compensated staffing to help cover calls.

Hancock Rescue Squad has requested assistance from the commissioners and operational assistance from the Department of Emergency Services to maintain provision of the services outlined in that September 2024 agreement.

The Board of County Commissioners has said it wants to protect the health, safety, and welfare of county residents and provide for “uninterrupted emergency medical service coverage in the Hancock area.”

The director of the department recommends the two parties enter into the MOU to enhance the financial and operational stability of Hancock Rescue Squad, say documents associated with the discussion.

Under the MOU, the rescue squad would be placed under the full governance of the Department of Emergency Services for a period of not less than 36 months, which could be extended at the sole discretion of the commissioners for good and reasonable cause.

Under the proposed agreement, the Department of Emergency Services would also have full oversight concerning the executive, administrative, financial, operational, and personnel actions which would include membership decisions and disciplinary actions undertaken by Hancock Rescue Squad and its officers.

If necessary, in the sole discretion of the Department of Emergency Services, and with the concurrence of the director, the Department may reverse, modify, or remand any act, decision, or policy undertaken by the Rescue Squad.

Hancock Rescue Squad would also provide to the Department or director, upon request, information and/or documentation concerning its financial, operational, and personnel condition or actions.

The Rescue Squad expressly consents to the oversight of the Department as outlined in the MOU.

Under the proposed memorandum, the Rescue Squad also agrees to comply with all policies, procedures, and standards promulgate by commissioners and the Department as well as those policies, procedures, and standards required to maintain membership with the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.

The outcome of the discussion was unknown at the time The Hancock News went to print.