Tennessee Volunteer Fire Company Devastated By Insider Theft

The leadership of a volunteer fire company in Tennessee is wondering whether they will be able to stay afloat after the department’s treasurer was charged with theft.

Donna Hurst, 39, was charged with stealing $5,000 from the Union Grove Volunteer Fire Department in McMinn County. While $5,000 hardly seems like an amount capable of bankrupting even a small department, McKinn County only provides the department with $200 per month with which to operate.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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