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Commissioners review volunteer firefighter incentive payments and training participation
Summary
Staff reported roughly $34,000 paid over nine months for volunteer firefighter incentives and certification payments; commissioners discussed possible program tweaks to account for small calls and to encourage training attendance.
County staff reported to the commission that about $34,000 has been paid in the first nine months of the volunteer fire incentive program: roughly $20,000 for monthly response/training incentives and approximately $14,000 for one-time firefighter certification payments.
Commissioners discussed program design and whether to treat all calls equally. Commissioners and staff said a "call is a call" approach has been suggested by volunteers who want payment for lift assists and alarm responses even if they are low-acuity calls; staff said the county cannot use fire funds to pay for EMS-only calls and that further policy adjustments could be examined in the next budget cycle.
Staff said the training-related incentives appear to have increased attendance at trainings and that the county has 11 trainees in the current class (10 county volunteers), with completion incentives planned. Commissioners suggested possible tweaks such as changing per-call credits, considering flat-rate payments, or improving paperwork submission to ensure volunteers receive payments.
Clarifying details: about $34,000 was paid across categories in nine months; current volunteer class has 11 participants, 10 of whom are county volunteers. Commissioners suggested reviewing call classification and paperwork processes ahead of the next budget year.
