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County fire chiefs press for more staffing, station and apparatus funding
Summary
Six Alexander County fire chiefs presented calls for increased county funding for paid staffing, staffing-contingent stations, apparatus replacement and equipment; Bethlehem Fire requested a second station estimated at $2.5–$3 million and chiefs described growing personnel and equipment costs.
Chiefs from multiple Alexander County volunteer and combination fire departments told the Board of Commissioners May 5 they need increased funding for staffing, apparatus replacement and capital projects to maintain response levels.
Chief Ashley (Tasha) Starnes of Bethlehem Fire Department described plans for a second station to reduce uncovered areas outside a five-mile response radius and to improve ISO coverage. Starnes said the proposed three-bay station would house sleeping space for eight firefighters and that a preliminary cost estimate for the facility is $2.5 million to $3 million; she also cited a previously estimated $125,000 water-line expense to bring an…
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