Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 7, 1993 TAG: 9308070171
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY BELL AND RON BROWN STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Cupp, a six-year volunteer with the Vinton Fire Department, on Friday said he plans to toss in his helmet for a while. He said he's had enough of the catcalls and suspicion that have resulted from a state police investigation of the department's finances.
"You bet I'm mad," he says. "No one is supporting us on this. The town isn't standing behind us. The county isn't standing behind us. Other than a few citizens who have come out in our support, I feel that no one is standing behind us right now."
Cupp was named firefighter of the year in 1990 after he pulled a drowning woman from a creek and helped subdue a fire although his helmet had melted.
"This situation is so unfair it just keeps haunting me," he said. "We're not guilty of anything. Instead of trying to get all this straightened out, I'd be hanging my head in shame."
Like most Vinton firefighters, he thinks the expenditures that the department has been making are reasonable, particularly when they are asked to risk their lives and receive no salary.
An anonymous letter prompted Vinton officials to request the investigation into how volunteers spend money donated to the department. Roanoke County's audit committee also has asked all volunteer fire departments and rescue squads for an accounting of money raised and spent in the past year.
According to the Vinton Fire Department's records, one-third of the donated money goes for social events, such as a Christmas banquet and initiation ceremonies. In lieu of pay, firefighters buy Christmas gifts for their children and gift certificates for their wives and allocate money gifts to officers.
"We're being looked at like criminals for buying our kids a few little gifts at Christmas. But it's our kids who suffer on Christmas or any other day of the year when we have to get up from the table and leave to go save someone's life," Cupp said.
But Friday, he requested a 90-day leave of absence which will begin when the investigation is through. He said he knew he needed a break when he received a fire call last week and was reluctant for the first time.
"All this time I've given my time, risked my life, and now one anonymous accusation is going to ruin it all," he said.
Still, the call to volunteerism runs deep in Cupp, who has begged other volunteers not to leave until the investigation is over.
"Otherwise we'll look like a bunch of criminals," he said. "Morale is bad. A lot of guys are thinking of quitting."
While he may quit himself, Cupp's loyalty to his fellow volunteers is unquestioned.
"Vinton volunteer fireman and proud of it," says a sign on the back of his Jeep.
by CNB