Marshall County officials sever ties to emergency group

MOUNDSVILLE - The Marshall County Commission has severed itsrelationship with a voluntary emergency group after allegationssurfaced that members may have used alcohol before rescue runs.

Marshall County Rescue Squad, Station 2 Volunteers Inc., hasoperated the county-sponsored emergency service since 1996. Therelationship was put on hold Nov. 19 after commissioners receivedcomplaints that alcohol was consumed at the station.

An investigation was conducted by the Marshall County prosecutor'soffice.

"There is no proof to say they were legally drunk, however, ouroffice feels there is sufficient evidence at the time to temporarilyterminate the operation as it was," Tom Andrews, a specialinvestigator in the prosecutor's office, said Wednesday. No accidentshave been attributed to the station.

Commissioners voted Tuesday to temporarily transferresponsibilities to the Moundsville Volunteer Fire Department.

Squad President David Swann said the allegations were made byformer squad members.

"We are cooperating fully with the investigators," he said.

Alcohol has been served at the station when members have heldparties and other events, Swann said. However, designated crews wereon hand for emergencies.