Suspended Rescue volunteer sees double standard

Michael Sabine: still on administrative leave

WEST LEBANON - Michael Sabine was at the fire at the bottom of Prospect Hill on Saturday morning.

But the Lebanon Rescue Department volunteer wasn’t working to make sure firefighters stayed safe and hydrated.

He was wondering why he’s been put on administrative leave by Lebanon Rescue since May 17 for what he suspects are the same offenses his assistant rescue chief, Jason Cole, is accused, namely improper use of social media.

The only difference, he says, is that he’s been placed on administrative leave for an indefinite period with no explanation of what his specific offense was, and Cole continues to work and direct department affairs.

Sabine says it all started when he and a friend monitored dispatch audio traffic on the day of May 17 as State Police were called to Upper Cross Road for a report of a disturbed male subject.

He said they heard a Lebanon Rescue driver respond that they were en route to the scene but did not pick up an ambulance, thereby causing some confusion and leading to an ambulance from Sanford being dispatched.

He also said he monitored reports that indicated Lebanon Rescue personnel went on scene in advance of State Police instead of staging prior to the residence and waiting for their go-ahead.

He said within an hour of making comments on Facebook that reflected poorly on Lebanon Rescue’s handling of the incident, he was sent an email from Rescue officials saying he had been placed on administrative leave.

Though he suspects he was suspended for those comments, he still has not been given a reason. He said all of his Rescue gear has been retrieved by the department.

Assistant Rescue Chief and Selectman Jason Cole, meanwhile, is alleged to have made defamatory comments against a local landscape company in connection with its mowing contract for a Lebanon cemetery last month.

In Facebook posts, Cole accused the company of “fleecing” the town of Lebanon.

Lebanon Selectmen Chairwoman Karen Gerrish and former selectman Robert Frizzell in a Thursday meeting prior to the election countered that they were happy with the services rendered by Gilpatrick Property Service and their work at the cemetery and that Cole did not speak for them.

Cole now faces a likely censure because his comments were defamatory and not in compliance with Lebanon Rescue handbook rules regarding use of social media.

Since Cole’s Rescue superior is Samantha Cole, the Rescue Department Chief, selectmen are in the process of scheduling a meeting with the Gilpatricks, and Mr. and Mrs. Cole to discuss what punitive actions, if any, should be forthcoming against the assistant chief.

Sabine, meanwhile, called one of his buddies this morning who was a volunteer at the fire scene and came down with some coffee for him and others.

So he sort of was still kind of doing Rescue work, unofficially, of course.

He waits and wonders when he will be able to return to the department he loves, and why there appears to be a double standard in the enforcement of Rescue Department rules and regulations.

Neither of the Coles were available for comment on this story.