Franklin County is considering making a series of changes to its public safety operations to address trends in volunteerism and apparatus costs.
The board of supervisors was given an overview of all things public safety during its June 18 meeting, from an update on the new Glade Hill fire station to options to make the purchase of new fire trucks and ambulances more affordable. The county’s public safety system is made up of both volunteers and paid career staff.
It used to be that volunteer agencies purchased their own fire trucks and ambulances, said Public Safety Director Billy Ferguson. But as they’ve grown more expensive, that’s become difficult.
Over the past few decades, the county has essentially assumed the capital costs of fire and EMS, with the exception of a few stations, Ferguson said.