Weeks after a house fire resulted in a fatality at 1047 Van Bibber Lake Estate, the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tony Camp is responding to concerns over response times with his department. 

The concerns, which were the focus of a meeting with the Walnut Creek Fire District recently, have originated from neighbors of the lady who lost her life in the April fire, including a former member of the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department prior to the department being shut down in 2022, as well as family members. 

When firefighters arrived, they found a home and adjoining garage fully engulfed. Carol Haney, 69, died of carbon monoxide poisoning in the fire.  

"I am sorry this tragic incident happened and it is absolutely tragic that someone died. The only thing that would've saved her was a working smoke detector. If she had one, it would've alerted her in plenty of time," Camp told The Putnam County Post. 

Since becoming chief, Camp said there has been only one complaint filed against his department and that was addressed immediately. 

However, he says this tragic incident highlights several issues his fire department faces, as they are a volunteer department with seven firefighters. 

"This highlights the need for more volunteers everywhere, not just here. There isn't a volunteer fire department in America that doesn't need more firefighters. There are things that would help, but it is sad it takes a tragic event to pump them up," Camp said. 

In addition, he says the geographic location of the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department can make it tough at times. 

"The fire department isn't geographically accessible to anything in the township. We have some people who are here for only the summer and weekends. Others live here but are busy, and some live 15 minutes away. There have been times I have been away and have to come back by the fire department to grab the squad and head out and that can delay response time a few minutes," Camp said. 

Camp said volunteer fire departments can have insurance cover their personal vehicles and many have basic first aid supplies in their trucks. 

"But, the minute I put an O2 bottle on, insurance no longer covers it, so I have to go from where I am at to the department and get the squad. I am on 99 percent of the runs we get called for. I've had four calls out near Clinton Falls where I've had to come back and get squad," Camp said. 

Camp said his department's response times are within the NFP Standards for Volunteer Fire Departments. 

With that said, he admits he is looking to add upwards of 10 more firefighters and recently announced he is prepared to implement a new pay scale in hopes of adding applicants. 

Camp said the system pays out every six months because that is when his department gets its contract money. 

"You will be required to have 48 hours on station, which you sign up for the days you want to be on station and the hours need to be spread out over the six months. The person must attend four trainings and two meetings within the six months and they will receive $300. Any event like a fundraiser the person participates in each month is an extra $15," Camp said. 

He said since his announcement, he has one person call and that person lived an hour away. 

"We don't have the run volume or the taxbase to support one paid firefighter. A couple volunteer fire departments have a paid person Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and that is something we are looking at. I am hoping to pull people who want to do this. I am more than happy to take applications, but you have to be able bodied to do this. We can't stop fighting a fire or helping someone with a medical emergency because you need tended to. Right now, the guys I have on say they aren't here for the money, but here to help, and that is great, but we need more volunteers. My goal is to try and build this department up and better itself every day," Camp said.