May 7, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
Which is the greater immediate need for the Smithville Fire Department, the addition of a third paid firefighter to the staff or replacement of a 21-year-old fire truck with a brand-new rescue/pumper?
Fire Chief Charlie Parker came before the mayor and aldermen on April 21 asking for both as part of his budget requests for the 2022-23 fiscal year, but it doesn’t appear now that the Mayor and Aldermen are willing to fund both this year.
During a budget workshop with the aldermen on May 2, Mayor Josh Miller said at this time the need for another firefighter outweighs the need for a new fire truck, the cost of which could be up to as much as one million dollars. In addition to the 2001 fire truck, the Smithville Fire Department has in its fleet a 2018 rescue pumper and a 2012 ladder truck.
“I love our fire department. (Chief) Charlie (Parker) does a great job and I don’t blame him for asking. When we got that COVID money a couple of years ago we gave them (fire department) quite a bit of money for equipment and I am all for that but if you put needs on the table, fire truck versus staff, I think its staff over the fire truck any day of the week. If we were operating with junk, I would say let’s look at this,” Mayor Miller said.
According to Mayor Miller, McMinnville and Sparta are operating mostly with much older fire trucks than what Smithville has in its fleet.
“I called the McMinnville Mayor, and their population is over 13,000. This is what they operate with, a 1989 Mac, a 1993 Spartan, a 2003 ladder truck, and their newest truck is a 2015 Pierce. Sparta is more comparable to us, and they have a 2001 pumper, a 2002 pumper, a 2013 pumper, and a 1990 ladder truck. I know he (Chief Parker) talks about ISO (Insurance Services Office) ratings, but I don’t think there is anything that says you have to take a truck out after so many years. It’s just a recommendation,” Mayor Miller continued.
“I am asking for the replacement of engine 2 which has reached its 21-year mark. When they (fire trucks) hit 20 years of service we can count them as a reserve unit until they are 25 years old,” said Chief Parker during the April 21 budget workshop.
A new truck would be similar but smaller than the department’s 2018 rescue pumper, according to Chief Parker but it would be more expensive with a price tag of possibly up to $975,000. Since it would take up to two years for delivery if ordered this year, Chief Parker suggested that the city consider trying to lock in a price on a new truck if possible and make financial arrangements to pay for it. When the 2001 fire truck is replaced, Chief Parker said the city could sell it.
“I think we all agree that the staffing need is greater than the truck need and I would like to see the employee added and not the truck at this point,” said Alderman Brandon Cox during the budget workshop on May 2.
The first paid firefighter position was created by the city in 2012 and is held by Chief Parker. The second paid firefighter was added in 2020. Dalton Roberts has that job.
Chief Parker said April 21 that his long range goal is for the city to one day have at least two paid firefighters on duty in shifts around the clock but for now he is asking for just one additional position. In addition to the two current paid positions, the city has 25 volunteers on the roster but Chief Parker said the volunteers are not always available when needed because of other jobs and commitments.
“We have a shortage of personnel during daytime hours and if there is a fire call we can’t use him (Roberts) at his full potential if I am out of town. He has to wait for somebody else (volunteer) to get here because we don’t allow him to go on a fire call by himself for safety reasons. If I am in town I can go with him on a call. We have 25 people (volunteers) but during the daytime weekdays we are extremely short and sometimes during the weekends too,” said Chief Parker.
At the April 21 workshop, Mayor Miller said he is supportive of adding a third paid firefighter position because the city’s population is growing which will increase the probability of more fires.
“Since July 31, 2021 to March 1, 2022, there has been 65 new home permits pulled in the city. I think if everything goes through that I hear people are talking about building plus those already approved there may be as many as 200 homes possibly built, maybe not all of them next year, but its going to happen if the economy stays the way its going. Just to see all these new homes and people coming in, I really think this is not a bad idea (adding third paid firefighter) and we really need to take a look at it,” said Mayor Miller.
Chief Parker is also asking that the 25 volunteer firefighters, who are given $25 per fire call, be budgeted a $10 increase to $35 per call starting with the new fiscal year. Parker has further included increases for training, travel, and uniform allowance expense in his budget request.
No action has yet been taken by the mayor and aldermen.