The Wagener Fire Department has been disbanded and its officers and volunteers removed.

In an emergency meeting Nov. 12, Mayor Mike Miller and the Council disbanded the department.

Provisions in the Fire Prevention Code states that:

• The Mayor and Council appoint the fire chief and all officers.

• The chief and officers hold office at the pleasure of the council.

• Standard operations procedures must not conflict with any state law or of fire code and must be approved by Council before becoming effective.

• It is the chief’s duty to inspect fire engines, trucks, apparatus and other equipment at fires and at least once monthly and report to the council.

A memorandum was delivered to Wagener Volunteer Fire Department officers Oct. 20 requesting financial spending receipts and other documents by Friday, Oct. 23.

As of Nov. 12, the documents have not been delivered.

Council wants to discuss a breach in security with 2 town bank accounts. Because of this and other matters, the Council and mayor have inactivated both Fire Department accounts pending an investigation.

In a letter, Mayor Miller and the Council have immediately relieved all officers pending further investigation.

Stations from the Hollow Creek and New Holland Fire Departments will respond to calls in the Wagener area until its own fire department is staffed with new officers and volunteers, Mayor Miller said.

The Chronicle and The Fish Wrapper have obtained a copy of that letter, with several other documents the town provided.

These include a “Do’s and Don’ts” of Social Media in Emergency Services.” These relate to posting images that may violate HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) privacy laws or violations of confidential information.