GARNER -- The chief of the independent Garner EMS & Rescue Squad resigned Tuesday, less than a week after a woman accused a rescue worker of sexually assaulting her in an office.
Bill Frederick stepped down from his post "for personal reasons," said Ralph Smith, president of the rescue squad's board of directors.
Late Friday afternoon, a woman went to the Garner police station and said she was sexually assaulted Sept. 1 at 920 7th Ave., in offices previously used by the rescue organization and near their headquarters station, town police Lt. Chris Hagwood said.
Hagwood said Wednesday that the suspect in the case is a rescue squad employee, but it was unclear whether Frederick's resignation was tied to the allegation. No arrests have been made.
"We're not going to release anything else because we're still investigating it," Hagwood said.
Smith said he did not want to discuss issues relating to employees. The rescue squad has about 25 employees and about 15 volunteers, he said.
Frederick decided he wanted to move on, Smith said. "And we honored that desire."
Frederick could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Garner EMS & Rescue, a nonprofit group formed in 1975, has undergone big changes in the past few months. The EMS division of the group, which was also led by Frederick, ran into financial troubles this year and merged with Wake County Emergency Services in June. The Garner group's expenditures exceeded its budget, and Frederick, a full-time employee, has blamed possible budgeting errors for the problem.Smith declined to divulge Frederick's annual salary.
By July, the rescue squad wing is expected to merge with Garner Volunteer Fire-Rescue, another nonprofit group.
Garner town leaders have said they want to eliminate the duplication of rescue services by Garner EMS & Rescue and the volunteer fire department. This budget year, the rescue group Frederick once headed is set to get about $270,000 from the town.
Garner Volunteer Fire-Rescue is facing troubles of its own. The State Bureau of Investigation recently wrapped up an embezzlement probe into more than $300,000 in missing funds from the department. Wake County prosecutors are expected to decide whether to press charges. Officials have said a former bookkeeper is the focus of the probe.
Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams said Frederick's departure could accelerate the merger of the rescue units of the organizations.
"It may happen sooner than later," Williams said.
