In an effort to reassure that the town is acting responsibly in regard to complaints involving the fire chief, the following points should be made:

 

 

In late October 2019, the board and the chief executed a performance action plan that was drafted by the town administrator that was aimed at addressing five specific areas of concern in the way the chief has managed the fire and ambulance departments. A copy of that plan is being made available upon request from the town administrator’s office. Without going into specifics, the plan addressed the following:

 

1. Personal relationships within the department.

     

a. The chief accepted a 21-day suspension for having engaged in a personal relationship with a directly-reporting subordinate and not being truthful about that when asked.

b. The unpaid suspension was served in one-week increments during the months of November 2019, December 2019 and January 2020.

 

2. Collective bargaining relationships

 

a. Although no fault or blame was assigned to the chief for what can best be described as a tumultuous relationship with the new union in the ambulance department, as a part of the plan the chief agreed to “demonstrate affirmative initiative in implementing the collective bargaining agreement and attempting to develop teamwork to solve problems and accomplish tasks.” 

b. The chief also committed to attend a number of training sessions on management, labor relations and leadership.

 

3. Staffing issues.

 

a. The chief committed to develop and implement an action plan for increasing recruitment and retention among full-time staff members.

b. He also agreed to follow overtime procedures in the new collective bargaining agreement, and not to take any overtime shifts himself unless absolutely necessary.

c. He further agreed to develop a training model for island residents to become certified as EMTs and/or paramedics. 

 

4. Financial Issues

 

a. The chief committed to conduct a full cost analysis of the ambulance service and to assist in preparing for and conducting negotiations with the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital regarding the cost of providing services and revenues collected. 

b. He also agreed to work with police chief to recommend a fully funded capital improvement program for public safety vehicles and equipment.

 

5. Structural issues — command staff

 

a. While acknowledging that the chief has implemented many of the recommendations of a consultant’s study, some areas still need attention.

b. Command staff recommendations included as a priority creating and filling an EMS assistant chief/EMS coordinator position which was listed as a priority. This new position should be created and filled promptly. 

 

 

There has been much speculation and rumors concerning a federal investigation of the Oak Bluffs fire department. We are issuing this statement to stem the speculation and rumors and alleviate unfounded concerns that seem to have developed as a result. 

 

We can confirm that there is an investigation being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston. In connection with that investigation, the FBI has interviewed a number of individuals on the Island, and several grand jury subpoenas have been issued. 

 

As far as we know, the investigation concerns billing practices of the ambulance department. Specifically, a concern has expressed that Medicare and Medicaid may have been overbilled for off-Island ambulance transports. This appears to be the focus of the investigation. 

 

No one has been charged with any wrongdoing. No individual has been identified as the target of the investigation. There has been no suggestion that the medical care provided by our EMS providers has been compromised in any way. There has been no suggestion of any self-dealing or diversion of funds by any individual.

 

We have retained outside counsel and we are fully cooperating with the government’s investigation. In addition, we are conducting our own independent investigation. We have determined that errors were made in billing Medicare and Medicaid for certain ambulance runs. A private billing company has done all of this billing, and we are working with that company to determine the scope of the mistakes, and to reimburse Medicare and Medicaid for excess payments that were made. 

 

Although billing mistakes were made, to date we have not found any evidence of intentional wrongdoing by any individual. If any such evidence is found, prompt and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.