ETNA – A 12-member committee has formed to outline expectations and procedures for the town’s fire department after selectmen shut down the department in October.

The Fire Department and Rescue Committee, composed of two fire department representatives, two selectmen and eight community members meets every Thursday 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the town office, according to Joe Marchelletta, the committee president.

The group has met twice, he said, and has covered a lot of ground.

“If everything goes as it does right now it could go for less than a half dozen meetings,” Marchelletta said.

Selectmen shut down the department in October citing a history of insubordination and personnel issues. During a selectmen’s meeting in October, Selectman Vicky Donaldson said the department has been accused of drinking and sexual harassment, in addition to the most recent controversy that involved then-Fire Chief Rick Goodell who video recorded his route as he drove to emergency calls. Goodell announced in November that he would resign from the department.

In the first two meetings committee members discussed all of the issues regarding the department that have arisen over the years. The group discussed excessive use of sirens, vehicle speed, mutual aid agreements, fire chief duties, training requirements, safety, and communication between the department, the town manager and selectmen, Marchelletta said.

The department has well-written bylaws and standard operating procedures in place, so many of the problems raised simply need disciplinary enforcement, he said.

The fire department already has taken steps to gain public rapport, he said. Firefighters are limiting the use of vehicle sirens unless necessary and they will begin posting a run sheet of all the calls they respond to on a monthly basis on the department Web site. The sheets also will be posted at the Etna Variety store and town office, he said.

The town is accepting resumes for the open fire chief position, said Town Manager Evelyn Serval. She hopes to provide selectmen with a recommended candidate for consideration at the Dec. 17 selectmen’s meeting, she said.

The two fire department committee representatives are Abiel Martinez and Chad Burrill. The selectmen representatives are Rob Tasker and Joe Garcia, and the community members are Marchelletta, Christy Avery, the committee secretary, Andrew Watson, John Donaldson, Bobby Wing, Richard Donaldson, Lisa Krahn and Victor Fratello.

Toni-Lynn Robbins may be reached at trobbins@bangordailynews.net or 990-8074.