It's been a month since a house fire resulted in a fatality at 1047 Van Bibber Lake Estate, and Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tony Camp continues to respond to questions from a handful of residents, including a former member of the department prior to the department being shut down in 2022. 

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 have 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 earlier this month. 

However, Camp's department has faced questions surrounding response times, as well as other questions from several residents. 

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

Camp said the fatal fire highlighted several issues his department faces, including more volunteers, as the department currently has seven firefighters. 

"This highlights the need for more volunteers everywhere, not just here. There isn't a volunteer department in America that doesn't need more firefighters," said Camp, adding the fire department isn't geographically accessible to anything in the township and there have been times he's had to leave where he was and stop by the department to grab the squad truck before heading out. 

Despite the answers, Camp has fallen victim to more questions and attacks on social media recently. 

One question centered around why any of the original trained members of the fire department are not allowed on the current fire department. 

Camp said each applicant is required to meet a set of criteria set forth in the 2023 by-laws of the department. 

"Applications are reviewed on an individual basis. If an applicant has been declined the opportunity to join the department, the applicant may schedule a time to meet with the board of directors for further discussion regarding this decision," Camp said. 

Another question was how can the district board claim last June the department would be disbanded for no chief, despite a statement by a board member of the Walnut Creek Fire Protection District that former chief Jack Giles, who resigned, would not sign another contract. 

The Walnut Creek Fire Protection District voted unanimously to void the contract with the Clinton Township Fire Department under the belief the the department was a separate entity from the fire protection district and could not operate without a chief. 

"The district board stated in a 2022 public district meeting that if Clinton Township Fire did not get its act together, the district would not renew the Clinton Township contract. The department was dissolved, restructured and reopened under different leadership chosen by the district board," Camp said.

Camp said it is his desire to be transparent and that his department is "thriving and successful."

"With perseverance, training and dedication, this department will continue to grow and serve the community for many more years to come,” Camp said.