Four months after being promoted to chief of Barrow County Fire & Emergency Services, Mark Melvin has resigned.
Melvin turned in his resignation today, just six days after the departure of the department’s chief of education and safety.
A source told the Barrow Journal that the resignations were due to concerns about staffing levels and equipment safety, but Melvin today would acknowledge only that he had some “differing” opinions.
Melvin has worked for the department for more than nine years. He was promoted to chief on June 23 after serving as the acting fire chief following the March resignation of former chief Robert Post.
New fire chief resigns
Melvin's last day with the county is Nov. 6. He will be the deputy chief of the Oconee County Fire Department, an all-volunteer department.
“I took a job where I live,” he said. “It’s home to me.”
Russell Wise, the former chief of safety and education who left Oct. 16, had been with the department for about 18 months.
County Chairman Danny Yearwood said in an interview today that he met with Melvin this morning and thanked him for his service.
He said he had talked to him previously about relocating to Barrow County, but he did not want to move.
Yearwood said he also met today with John Skinner, a battalion chief who two weeks ago moved into Wise’s position as an acting assistant chief and now will be the acting chief.
“I told him to make sure our department’s up and running and to let the employees know this is business as usual, you just gotta do your job,” Yearwood said.
“He said ‘I stepped up as assistant chief, and now I’m stepping up again.’”
Added Yearwood: “He was a little overwhelmed himself, I think. But he has been there 20 years and was a battalion chief. So he’s got some background.
“It’s not like we’re throwing somebody green in there.”
“I took a job where I live,” he said. “It’s home to me.”
Russell Wise, the former chief of safety and education who left Oct. 16, had been with the department for about 18 months.
County Chairman Danny Yearwood said in an interview today that he met with Melvin this morning and thanked him for his service.
He said he had talked to him previously about relocating to Barrow County, but he did not want to move.
Yearwood said he also met today with John Skinner, a battalion chief who two weeks ago moved into Wise’s position as an acting assistant chief and now will be the acting chief.
“I told him to make sure our department’s up and running and to let the employees know this is business as usual, you just gotta do your job,” Yearwood said.
“He said ‘I stepped up as assistant chief, and now I’m stepping up again.’”
Added Yearwood: “He was a little overwhelmed himself, I think. But he has been there 20 years and was a battalion chief. So he’s got some background.
“It’s not like we’re throwing somebody green in there.”
Mr. Commissioner, I understand the hand you have been dealt but running off good people because you are not open for discussions or compromises is not the answer. You are not qualified to be making decisions that a CFO (chief financial officer) should be making. I did not vote for you and I will vote against when the time comes but you are the County Commissioner and I do have respect for the office. Please give the others on your team this same respect and realize they are trained in areas in which you are not and that is why they call it a team.
We can not have him continue to run good people out of the county. Yes, he got rid of MOST of the bad that needed to go, but he just kept right on going..... cross me and out you go.
He needs to remember -- we didn't vote him in, we voted Garrison out.
Truer words have not be spoken. Well said.
PERSONALLY: I don't think Danny was much of an influence. He cannot manage, get along and is just not a leader. I agree, Yearwood was not voted in---Garrison was voted out!
Who will be next to go?
It's been a long time since Barrow County had a chairperson who has your knack for running people off.
It's been a long time since Barrow County had a Chairperson who has your lack of management skills.
It's been a long time since Barrow County had a Chairperson who was so incredibly clueless.
So thank you for the hard effort you make every morning to crawl of of bed and come into the office just to screw something else up. I really appreciate it.
Name one positive about what Yearwood's term to date.
That's a positive, right?
I think they were asking for one positive thing about him or his actions.
I suppose you could say getting rid of K. Lee was a positive - would have been had he immediately hired someone for the job or at least opened it for applicants.
as for running trucks with less than 3, read the NOSH reports approx. 100 to 115 firefighters die each year due to staffing on other related govt. shortfalls.
YEARWOOD GET A LIFE.. MOVE ON
People you need to stand up for your firefighters they are the ones that risk their lives to save your life and property for very little money. Most do it for the love of the job.
Simple?
You sure are.