Published: September 30, 2008 12:35 pm            

County explores long-range plan for fire substations

Monticello — The effort to locate a rural fire station at Parnell may be taking another turn, as fiscal court explores a long-range plan that would allow substations to be placed around the county. Wayne County Fiscal Court met in special session on Thursday, September 25 to discuss the Parnell Fire Department.

Members of the court referred to it as "breaking new ground" as the discussion, which included Monticello Fire Chief Steve Ferrell and several members of the board for the Parnell Fire Department, moved from the best way to set up the rural department to the possibility of setting up substations throughout the county. County Judge-Executive Greg Rankin directed County Attorney Lee Tobbe to take a closer look at the contract for fire protection between the city and county and he also asked him to look into what would be involved in setting up substations for the county.

"Nobody up here is against this," Rankin told members of the Parnell department who attended the special meeting. "If we are going to do this, let's make it work."

Rankin said that this option might be more financially feasible for Parnell, since there aren't a lot of funding options available for construction of a small fire station. Several of the magistrates seemed to embrace the idea of setting up a plan that would allow for the location of more substations in their own districts.

The court has already heard the first reading of an ordinance establishing the Parnell Fire Department and setting its coverage area. But that could be on hold while the county looks at the possibility of making the Parnell station a substation of the city fire department.

"We want to do what is best for the community and what is best for the county," stated Mike Crain, a board member of the Parnell Fire Department.

Until then, the board will wait and see what options the county comes up with. Crain noted that while this approach may take longer for Parnell, it'll be worth the wait if it makes things easier for other communities like Mill Springs or Rocky Branch who may want to establish their own station.

Tobbe stated that he would be in contact with Mayor Kenneth Catron and other city officials, as he researches the issue.

        

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