Sandersville City Council authorized the Mayor to execute a mutual aid agreement with Baldwin County Fire Rescue for fire service aid at their Monday, November 2 City Council meeting.
Sandersville Fire Chief Elliott DeBiase explained that this agreement allows Baldwin County Fire Rescue to assist the City of Sandersville and vice versa.
Fire Chief DeBiase stated that this allows the two agencies to respond in times of emergency when additional resources are needed.
“Without depleting our own City’s resources,” said Chief DeBiase. “And there’s no money exchanged with this type of service.”
Chief DeBiase called the agreement “standard.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Jeffery Smith referenced the June 2011 fire that occurred at the First Christian Church in Sandersville; he noted that outside agencies responded to that fire in the City of Sandersville.
Sandersville Mayor Jimmy Andrews stated that the City of Sandersville’s Fire Department has responded to neighboring counties to assist in the past, as well.
“This is our first time with a mutual aid agreement with Baldwin County since I’ve been here,” said Councilperson Mayme Dennis.
Fire Chief DeBiase remarked that the agreement works both ways, benefitting both areas.
“Hopefully we never get to that point, but if we do it’s a little bit of a safety for us,” said Chief DeBiase.
Mayor Pro-Tem Smith remarked that the mutual aid agreement is a good thing.
“We need to have those agreements,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Smith.
After discussing the agreement, Councilperson Mayme Dennis moved to execute the mutual aid agreement with Baldwin County Fire Rescue; Councilperson Henry Watts seconded, and the vote carried unanimously.