The Southport Volunteer Fire Department blames a paperwork mishap for volunteers having to pack up their gear and not respond to fires.

The town of Fairfield says it cannot confirm whether the volunteers have taken required training classes because it doesn?t have their paperwork. However, Southport Fire Chief Peter Kopko says he has submitted the forms to the town more than once. Kopko also counters that officials cut funding for the training, so his men paid out of pocket. The Fairfield First Selectman?s office says it will take up to two weeks to review the paperwork.

The Southport Volunteer Fire Department was founded about 100 years ago and currently has 20 volunteers. They assist paid Fairfield firefighters.