LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – New Chapel EMS will be relieved of its final 911 duties in one week.
As the company transitions and sells off excess equipment, it is now being sued by one of its former bosses on behalf of taxpayers.
The Utica Township Fire Protection District was the last taxpayer organization to burn and vacate New Chapel.
But after years of paying for services that it believes were not fully provided, the new fire service association is now trying to prevent even more financial losses.
There are plenty of bargains to be found at New Chapel EMS’s online auctions.
Fire hoses, ambulances, stoves and microwaves for a bargain price.
The fire sale is so good that the last government agency to burn down and vacate New Chapel is now filing a lawsuit, fearing that much of this equipment was paid for with taxpayer money and should remain in public hands.
The Utica Parish Fire Protection District wants a judge to halt the auctions at least until the details are worked out.
The spokesman for the new band, Coy Travis, wrote:
“My clients have not yet been served with the complaint. However, it is disappointing that the Utica Fire Protection District feels the need to pursue costly litigation, despite repeatedly telling them that they can come to us with any concerns and that we would be happy to work with them. Instead, they have chosen to oppose us at every turn. It is especially confusing because the District is not named as a victim of any of the Noel family’s crimes in the SBOA’s 53-page Special Investigation Report, the 50 charges against the Noel family, or the 89 pages of probable cause affidavits that resulted from the state’s extensive investigative efforts.
“The county contracted for fire protection. They received fire protection despite not making any payments for it over the past year. Any arguments by the county to the contrary are baseless and based solely on the emotions felt due to Jamey Noel’s actions. We wish them nothing but the best in their new relationship with the Jeffersonville Fire Department, but we will not stand by and allow a few disgruntled bureaucrats to mislead the public.”
“As for the devices sold, despite repeated requests, we have not received any evidence proving that someone else has ownership of this property. Like any other owner, my customers have the right to dispose of their property as they see fit.
“We will examine the complaint and respond to it in more detail within the procedural time limit.”
The fire district had a 10-year contract with New Chapel, which states that the district would use taxes and donations to complete the contract with New Chapel and pay for materials, insurance and fuel. Records show that taxpayers paid about $130,000 for that contract in 2020 and 2021, the last years WAVE already had based on previous records requests.
Under the contract, New Chapel was an independent contractor, but the indictment alleges that then-Fire Chief, CEO and founder Jamey Noel lied to the board and transferred equipment from the fire district to New Chapel. He has already been charged with theft for selling and transferring equipment for his own benefit. He has pleaded not guilty.
New Chapel is currently in the process of streamlining its operations after losing its fire and ambulance contracts and is preparing to cease operating as an emergency medical service within a week.
You probably won’t need all the ambulances, emergency vehicles, stretchers, fire hoses and lockers that have accumulated over the years.
The court must determine whether taxpayers are being defrauded.
The court has not yet scheduled a hearing.
However, the auction countdown continues as bidders compete for the items for sale.
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