J.T. Whitlock, Marion County's EMC since the 1950s, said he has never had to pull rank on the squad until now.
However, he said, a division among the members has reached unacceptable proportions and he is taking steps to bring unity back to the squad.

"I'm doing everything in my power to regain harmony," Whitlock said. "All of our solutions may not be popular, but they're necessary."

Whitlock said recent bickering over who is in charge at the scene of an accident forced him to make a personal visit to the squad's headquarters located in the Marion County EMS building.

Whitlock said that on at least three occasions the rescue squad has been summoned back to the scene of an accident after being called off by a member. None of the accidents was life threatening, Whitlock said.

Nevertheless, he said, in order to prevent a tragedy he told the rescue squad that ambulance personnel would decide when it was all right for them to leave the scene of an accident.

"We want the medical people to make that call," Whitlock said.

The next day, a fax written by Vice-Commander Dan Lawson was received at the EMS building. Whitlock said the fax was an "anonymous letter" that outlined a new policy concerning who would decide when it was all right to leave the scene of an accident.

Whitlock said the letter was a contradiction to his direct order so he dismissed Lawson from the squad.

"He's a good rescue squad person, when he's in command," Whitlock said. "But he can't take an order."

Whitlock said dismissing a volunteer from the rescue squad was also a first in his career.

Since the squad is funded by Marion County Fiscal Court, Whitlock said he went to the magistrates to get their support.
County Judge-Executive Dave Hourigan said Whitlock did not need the support of the court.

" J.T. has the authority to make that call," Hourigan said. "Everything is so divided down there. It needs to calm down. I have (rescue squad members) come in my office and I'd gladly have any one of them work on me if I was in an accident. They're all very competent people."

Hourigan said the conflict with the squad is simply the clashing of personalities. He pointed out that the conflict has never interfered with patient care.