By Gary Nelson
The Crossville Chronicle
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. — Cumberland County’s Emergency Services Committee recommended funding be put in place for both a director of the county’s EMS department and a county fire chief.
The position is currently held by one person, Jeff Dodson, fire chief and EMS director.
Prior to Dodson’s appointment to the position it was held by two different people, but the county mayor recommended combining the position to save the county some $30,000 annually in salary and benefits.
Dodson recently announced he will retire at the end of the year after working for the county fire department for more than 40 years.
Roy Turner, 7th District commissioner, said, “We put this on the agenda to figure out how we want to handle this. Do we want to keep it together or make it separate again? We need to know before Chief Dodson retires.”
He asked Dodson his opinion regarding the position.
Dodson said, “One person can do the job. It would be better if both were under one roof. It’s been a trying situation over both departments … it does save a lot of money. I’ve done it for the last six years … there are pros and cons both ways and I’m not try to sway you one way or the other. If it was all under one roof it would be much easier. It is a strain between the two. It’s doable but trying.”
Tim Claflin, 8th Dsitrict commissioner, said, “I sent an email to think about looking at interviewing people who are qualified to do both. It saves money and there are at least one or two people who are able to do it locally. Maybe we’d look outside, but I’d rather keep within the county … In my mind I could see moving a truck (ambulance) or two over there (at the fire department) and back and that would help with response times. I’m just putting it out there.”
Dodson said, “I’m totally committed to helping him or her in making the transition as smooth as possible.”
Terry Carter, 6th District commissioner, who works for the fire department, said, “I’d rather see it separated again myself. I think it’s too much for one person.”
Sue York, 1st District commissioner, said, “Both are important. How much money does it save?”
Cumberland County Mayor Kenneth Carey Jr. said it is about $30,000 in salary and the extra benefits for the additional position.
“I’d like to have it approved by the November commission meeting so they can start Dec. 1,” Carey said.
Turner said, “I think that’s a good idea and that way they can work with Chief Dodson for a while.”
David Gibson, 4th District commissioner, said, “This is one of the major decisions we’ll have to make. We need to do some major studies and see what benefits the county.”
John Patterson, 9th District commissioner, suggested if they are unable to find a good candidate for a one-director position within three to four weeks, then they could split the position.
Claflin asked Dr. Mark Fox his opinion. Fox serves on the Cumberland County E-911 board of directors and the county’s EMS program is under his medical license.
Fox said, “If you want to have one person you have to have a job description before positing the position. You have to have to know if they qualify. And the person applying wouldn’t know what applying for and including this committees’ expectations are…"
Fox suggested they may think about having one and a deputy chief over each agency and now would be a good time to set a job description for all three positions.
Carter said he thought CTAS (County Technical Advisory Service) could assist.
Carey reminded the committee it was not their position to pick the person to hire and the choice was up to him.
“I have worked at both (county fire and EMS) and have years of experience. I don’t know anyone else on the committee that has this much experience. I have been working with CTAS and they recommend not filling the position with one person based on the community and the two services,” Carey said.
He said there were a lot of qualified people here.
Carey also said the county is growing and having one person supervise both departments is going to be a bigger challenge as the county grows.
“If we’re going to have one director and then a deputy, we’ll probably end up spending more than having two. I’d like to have the option going with one or two depending on the circumstances,” Carey said.
Carey also said the person would have to have two multi-million dollar budgets ready in January, a month after they start the position.
CTAS will screen resumes, applicants and assist with the interview process and will not pick the candidate.
Carey said, “I’d like to recommend the funding for two. Honestly, I don’t see anyone who’d be able willing to do this job for what (salary) he’s doing it for.”
Turner said, “And a $70,000 to $80,000 salary would cause a big problem. I don’t think we can get anyone and that the budget committee will offer that much.”
Carey said, “I don’t have anyone specific in mind for either one. I want what’s best for the community. By the time you go through the committee process and look for one, then two and get the funds in place, the timing won’t work.”
Carter then made a motion to recommend funding both an EMS director and county fire chief to the budget committee.
Gibson supported the motion and it unanimously approved.
Carey said, “I hope to have one or two to recommend. This will not be a political appointment. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t play politics. In my heart I will do what’s best for the community,” Carey said.
The recommendation will now move forward to the budget committee.
In other areas, the committee elected officers. Claflin was elected to serve as chairman of the committee, Gibson was elected to serve as vice-chairman and Nancy Hyder, 2nd District commissioner, was elected to serve as secretary.
Tracey Scarbrough, 1st District; Hyder; and Jack Davis, 5th District, did not attend the meeting.
Copyright 2016 the Crossville Chronicle