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Pittman Volunteer Fire Department asks Holmes County for guidance on filling private pools
Summary
Pittman Volunteer Fire Department asked the county for guidance after residents requested that firefighters use a tanker to fill private swimming pools; department leaders said fuel and truck wear make many requests infeasible and asked for direction on a fee or policy.
Alfred Sellers, representing the Pittman Volunteer Fire Department, asked the Holmes County commission for guidance after residents repeatedly requested that firefighters use tanker trucks to fill private swimming pools.
Sellers told the board his department often accepts donations rather than billing for non‑fire uses, but said fuel, mileage and wear make large multi‑trip fills impractical. He said his tanker holds about 3,000 gallons and that filling a large pool could require multiple trips; his typical requested donation is $100 but a full charging policy varies among neighboring jurisdictions.
“I'm not gonna read everything word for word … it takes our truck out of service, and we're seeking guidance from the board or suggestions because it cost us a hundred dollars to fill the truck up,” Sellers said.
Commissioners and staff discussed examples from nearby jurisdictions and suggested staff compare per‑gallon or per‑service fees charged elsewhere; they also noted Pittman sometimes requests donations rather than formal billing. No formal county policy change or fee was adopted at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to consult with nearby departments and return with recommended approaches for addressing requests to use fire apparatus for non‑emergency community services.
