Representatives from Concord Fire District and other local volunteer departments updated the McCracken County Fiscal Court on Aug. 25 about volunteer staffing, training and equipment needs, and they thanked the county for recent radio upgrades that improved inter‑department communications.

Why it matters: Volunteer fire departments provide emergency response across much of the county; staffing and communications affect response capacity and public safety.

During brief remarks to the court, Concord Fire District representatives said recruiting daytime volunteers remains challenging and that departments rely on long‑term volunteers. They reported the county provided upgraded radio systems for all departments, which the speakers said will improve interoperability and communications. The districts also noted they have added some newer volunteers, begun water‑rescue training in response to regional flooding risks, and provide services at the Paducah airport on an as‑available basis for charter plane needs.

Speakers repeatedly thanked the court for the radio equipment and said improved communications will be a significant operational benefit. No formal motions or funding requests for additional personnel were made in open session; the reports were informational and received by the court.