Washington County Commissioners voted to approve the rural fire department agreement for fiscal year 2022 during their Thursday, September 9 meeting.
County Administrator Dustin Peebles explained prior to the Commissioners voting that all the fire chiefs in Washington County met concerning the agreement, and they discussed changes they would like to see regarding the agreement.
“It’s been seven or eight years since we’ve updated it,” said County Administrator Peebles.
The document outlines the covenants of the fire departments as agreed upon by the Commissioners and the individual fire departments. Those items outlined include:
– The Department will obtain and maintain certification as a State Certified Fire Department.
– The Department will comply with the terms of the Automatic Aid Agreement by covering all fire departments in Washington County.
– By March following the end of the Calendar Year, the Department will provide to the County Administrator an annual report summary that lists the total of calls for response and also the number of training classes held.
– The Departments are expected to have at least one member attend a minimum of 45 percent of offered County-Wide Fire Training and planning meetings.
– The Departments will maintain a minimum ISO class of 9/10 for all areas within five road miles of their station.
– The Department will allow station visits and inspections by representatives of the Fiscal Agent, by County Commissioners, and other County Personnel designated by the Commissioners.
When discussing any changes from previous rural fire agreements, County Administrator Peebles stated that this updated agreement only contained one change, which concerned the percentage of training/meetings that must be attended.
“This will just update the document, and we’ll be able to move forward,” said County Administrator Peebles.
Commissioner Frank Simmons moved to approve the updated rural fire agreement; Commissioner Edward Burten seconded, and the vote carried unanimously during the Thursday, September 9 meeting.