By Carolyn Reid
FALMOUTH — In response to a proposal from Pendleton County Fiscal Court to take over the city fire department, Councilwoman Amy Hurst stated she wanted to see “more meat” to the proposal.
The proposal from fiscal court was that the county purchase the department and its equipment. The thought was that the county would possibly keep a truck for the city while using the building for the county department, making use of the volunteers the county department has secured.
Hurst reminded the council ordinances would need to be changed, and she also said people have asked what they will gain from losing the city fire department.
She also said would like to hear the ideas from the county along with the information from the city fire department, as well, to make a good decision.
Councilwoman Sabrina Hazen expressed concerns with dragging out the process, making Judge Executive David Fields spend time on proposals, with the conversation ending on the fact the city is not interested at this time.
As the council shared other concerns about the protection of city residents and the “what-ifs” of the proposal, Mayor Luke Price said the current fire department has been around for more than 100 years, and the city can support it.
All the equipment is paid for, all the self-contained breathing apparatuses are new and the firehouse has been upgraded, Price said.
He said that his concern is of the city being covered by a fire department that does not have a history of service. The county would have things to work out as it begins, he said.
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