Tazewell County leaders, with backing from local fire chiefs, are proposing a part-time, paid department to strengthen mutual aid, improve training and modernize fire protection

By CHARLES OWENS
Bluefield Daily Telegraph

TAZEWELL, Va. — Tazewell County leaders are looking to fund a part-time, paid fire department.

That’s according to Eastern District Supervisor Charles “Chuck” Presley, who said the proposed new fire department will assist with mutual aid and improve training to enhance fire protection across the county. He said all current volunteer fire departments will continue to operate.

The issue was discussed by the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors last week. In a lengthy post to his Facebook page, Presley said the decision to consider a paid fire department was made with the support of the Tazewell County Fire Chiefs Association, the Emergency Services Committee and others.

“Our county has an aging volunteer firefighter population, and our equipment is outdated,” Presley said in the Facebook post. “We had to take action. This new department will assist with mutual aid and improve training to enhance fire protection across the county.”

Presley said he has spent more than a hundred hours over the past two years meeting with fire departments, talking to fire chiefs, listening to their concerns and attending emergency services committee meetings.

Under the proposal, Presley said all current volunteer fire departments will remain in place. He said the county also will establish a fire company that can now track call volume across all departments. That, in return, will allow the county to apply for federal grants and provide the county with more resources for fire protection, according to Presley.

“The county will continue to support our volunteer fire departments, and this new department will add additional coverage for our communities,” Presley added in the statement. “Remember, our volunteers are everyday people with families, jobs, and lives outside of the firehouse. They risk it all for the love of their neighbors, and we all want to help support them and improve fire protection for everyone.”

Presley said multiple fire departments attended last week’s board of supervisors meeting and expressed support for the effort.

Messages left Tuesday with Presley by the Daily Telegraph seeking additional information about the plan were not immediately returned.

In the Facebook post, Presley said there could still be other fire departments in the county’s future as well.

“Looking ahead, we’re excited about the future and the potential for a new fire station in Springville and another in Claypool Hill,” Presley said. “We’re just getting started, and there’s still much more to be done.”

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