County and Millersville officials debate EMS sleeping quarters, trailer rental and possible station addition

Millersville city officials and Sumner County commissioners took up a lengthy discussion about the future of Millersville Fire Station 2 and county EMS quarters, focusing on competing needs for limited station space, code and life‑safety issues, and the county’s temporary use of a rented trailer for EMS personnel.

The discussion is consequential for county EMS staffing and service coverage: Millersville city officials recently proposed adding 24-hour firefighters — which would require using existing station sleeping space — while county EMS has occupied part of Station 2 and uses a rented trailer for crew quarters.

Millersville City Manager Mike Gorham told the committee the city does not support using two existing living spaces in the station for EMS permanent quarters because the city expects to need that space for firefighters as its call volume and staffing needs increase. Gorham said the city is working with an architect on a schematic that would add bunks at the opposite end of the station and move the ambulance bay to a different side of the building; he said the city had emailed a rough schematic to county staff earlier the same day.

Commissioners and county staff raised several immediate issues: whether there is a current written agreement allowing the county to renovate or occupy the station; whether the county should continue to rent the trailer that EMS crews use for sleeping (rent during the period has totaled about $30,000, according to discussion); and whether the county should buy the trailer instead of continuing to rent it. Staff noted the trailer was not connected to permanent water or sewage because it was meant to be temporary; purchasing it would likely require hookups.

Commissioners said they were surprised by the city’s recent proposal and emphasized a need for a clear interlocal agreement. One commissioner recalled a prior letter of agreement under the previous administration permitting county renovation of sleeping quarters; county staff confirmed an older letter existed but said a new formal agreement was not in place under the current city administration.

State Fire Marshal and county architect reviews were cited as raising life‑safety and code concerns about the existing sleeping quarters, which has complicated simple renovation options. Commissioners discussed a previously raised $250,000 renovation/addition estimate and noted earlier value-engineering had reduced costs but that there may be limits to further savings.

County representatives urged a near-term approach: one commissioner proposed buying the trailer rather than continuing to rent it while the parties sort out longer-term station plans; others urged staff to gather contractor bids and provide a full package for the committee to review. The committee agreed to keep the matter under “old business” and to request the city provide bidding documents and the architect’s package as soon as available.

Next steps: Millersville and county staff will provide the architect’s schematic, any existing letter of agreement, and bids or cost estimates for renovation, addition or trailer purchase. Staff will also clarify life‑safety findings from the State Fire Marshal and whether county funding would be required for hookups if the trailer is purchased.