Local fire district chiefs report staffing challenges and thank county for radio upgrades

Representatives from Concord Fire District and other local volunteer fire districts addressed the McCracken County fiscal court on Aug. 25 about staffing challenges for daytime coverage, recent training and equipment updates.

A Concord Fire District representative reported the district's tax rate remains at 0.075 and said "we always need folks at daytime" as the department seeks younger volunteers and recruits for calls that can arrive during work hours. The chief thanked the county for radio upgrades and said improved communications "is gonna improve greatly" interdepartment interoperability.

A Western-area fire district representative said that board voted unanimously to keep the district's rate at 0.069 and described training additions such as water-rescue certification to address increased flooding risks. District representatives said they provide mutual support when available — including airport calls for charter flights — and expressed appreciation to the county for equipment assistance.

The court did not take a separate vote on equipment funding during the presentation; the districts' tax-rate figures were recorded later in the tax-rate resolutions adopted by the court.