Huntingdon Council members pressed Huntingdon and Carroll County fire chiefs with questions Tuesday night, September 23, before ultimately giving unanimous approval to a new automatic aid agreement (click here to read) between the two departments.
The Carroll County Fire Department has been establishing similar agreements with all municipal fire departments throughout Carroll County.
“What makes this agreement different than what we’re already doing?” asked Councilman Chad Barnhart.
Huntingdon Fire Chief John Fordon explained that the mutual aid agreement establishes automatic response from Huntingdon Fire Department for structure fires and wrecks with possible entrapment within the county’s District One.
Because Huntingdon’s fire department has full-time personnel, its crews can, in theory, reach an emergency scene a few seconds faster than Carroll County Fire’s all-volunteer setup. Under the new agreement, they would be dispatched at the same time.
“Instead of waiting for the county to [ask for assistance], the tones will drop for us at the same time they drop for District One,” Fordon said.
“This is in the best interest of our citizens,” added Carroll County Fire Chief Jonathan Gaskins. “The sooner we can get equipment to a situation like that, the higher the chance of survival. We’re just trying to shave off those precious few minutes.”
“My question is, have we lost life or property because of the system as it’s [currently] set up?” asked Barnhart, who wasn’t totally convinced.
He explained that he didn’t see anything wrong with the current way Huntingdon Fire Department is utilized in emergency response in the county.
Barnhart also expressed concern about coverage in town if crews were called out.
“If we go to Mayo Bottom [for an incident], I don’t want something on this side of the tracks happening at the same time,” he said.
Councilman John Sanders had similar concerns.
“It’s a lot easier for us during the day because we have Chief [Fordon] and staff,” he said. “I just have a real concern at night. I don’t want [Huntingdon] to get hung out.”
Fordon explained that the fire department would send the closest unit while keeping manpower in reserve.
“Our engine would get there first and do what needs to be done, but as soon as possible, we’d get back into the city limits,” he said.
Several council members pressed for clarification on insurance and firefighter protection when responding outside city limits.
Gaskins explained that most of Huntingdon’s volunteers are already part of Carroll County’s District One, and are covered under county insurance when outside city limits.
“The only question would be your paid city employees,” he said.
Councilmember Kelly Eubanks said she was comfortable with the agreement if Chief Fordon supported it.
“I trust what you say, and obviously, we’ve hired you for a reason. And if you feel 100% comfortable with this, then I am,” she told Fordon. “I think you would be honest if you had any reservation, or if you didn’t think this was gonna work.”
Other questions have also arisen, including compensation to the Town of Huntingdon for the use of their equipment on County calls, as well as determining which volunteers are responding on behalf of Huntingdon and which are responding on behalf of District One. Since many volunteers are active with both departments, some believe that it could muddy the waters in terms of compensation and other administrative upkeep.
The council approved the agreement with the understanding that it can be revisited. The agreement includes a 30-day exit clause, allowing either side to withdraw if problems arise.
Mayor Chad Edwards encouraged both departments to keep communication open as the agreement takes shape.
“If we’re going to work together, we’ve got to work together,” he said.
After the meeting, Barnhart reiterated his concern with the new automatic aid agreement, saying he believed the previous mutual aid setup had worked well and didn’t need to be changed. He questioned whether the town would see any real benefit from the shift, while potentially taking on more costs and responsibilities.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said.
See the full Mutual Aid Agreement Here:
