Leadership Of Kanawha County Volunteer Fire Department Resigns 

The latest resignation at a Kanawha County volunteer fire department comes from the very top. 

Tyler Mountain Fire Chief Louie Robinson and all but one of the department’s Board of Directors resigned Thursday evening. Their resignations come after several members of the Tyler Mountain Volunteer Fire Department (TMVFD) that serves Cross Lanes stepped down during a departmental training session in June. 

In an open letter posted to the fire department’s Facebook page last month, the departed firefighters alleged leadership had filled vacant board positions without public discussion, mishandled equipment and funds and ignored safety concerns.

But a post on the department’s Facebook page Thursday night said the firefighters who had left in June had returned following the chief’s resignation.

The Kanawha County Commission released a statement Thursday evening acknowledging the changes and spelling out plans to provide continuing service to the community.

“We are aware of the resignation of the Tyler Mountain Volunteer Fire Department Chief and Board of Directors,” the statement read. “We are offering our assistance to the fire department through our Director of Emergency Management and our Department of Emergency Management. Emergency Management has spoken with mutual aid partners to ensure there is continued coverage in the area. Additionally, the State Fire Marshal’s Office has been contacted for guidance. We are committed to doing everything we can to support the citizens of the community during this time.”

In response to comments about the future of the Board of Directors, the Tyler Mountain Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page stated that board members will be temporarily appointed until elections are held in September.
On Friday morning, the remaining board member Barry Holstein created a new Facebook page for the Tyler Mountain Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors.