Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mutual Aid Fire Departments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hendersonville approves mutual-aid pacts with two volunteer fire departments after term-length dispute
Summary
The Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously to authorize interlocal mutual-aid agreements with Shackle Island Volunteer Fire Department and Number 1 Volunteer Fire Department. An amendment to extend the agreementsfrom one year to two years was proposed, debated and withdrawn.
The Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Feb. 2025 approved interlocal mutual-aid agreements with Shackle Island Volunteer Fire Department and Number 1 Volunteer Fire Department, after a bid to change the contractsterm length touched off debate.
The board voted to authorize resolution 2025-08 (Shackle Island) and resolution 2025-09 (Number 1), each approving a mutual-aid assistance agreement for city fire department services. Both resolutions passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The agreements formalize mutual aid between the city and nearby volunteer departments, clarifying response expectations and legal terms for shared incidents. Board members and volunteers raised concerns about the contract term length, potential administrative burdens on the volunteer department and the need for periodic review.
The board-approved language matches the agreements sent to members earlier the day of the meeting, and Chief Bush and city attorneys recommended the agreements to public safety committee before the vote. "It came through public safety tonight and it was sent to Boma with a positive recommendation. Chief Bush was okay with everything that was in the agreements along with the mayor and the city attorney," Alderman Goodwin said during the motion to approve resolution 2025-08.
Alderman Eddie Robertson moved an amendment to change the contract term in paragraph 9 from one year to two years for both agreements, saying a longer review period "will facilitate communication, and hopefully agreement." Alderman Dixon seconded the amendment. Alderman Sasse and others said they were sympathetic to longer terms but noted Shackle Island had reviewed the one-year agreement and expected the terms as presented. Chief Bush described prior internal conversations with staff about possibly leaving the agreement open-ended with a 60-day termination clause; he warned divergent terms across departments could spark confusion.
After discussion from multiple aldermen and a statement from a Shackle Island board member advising that the volunteer department expected the version before the board, Alderman Robertson withdrew the amendment.
Formal actions recorded: - Resolution 2025-08 (Shackle Island Volunteer Fire Department mutual-aid agreement): motion by Alderman Goodwin; second Alderman Dixon; outcome: approved (unanimous). Notes: amendment to extend term to two years was proposed by Alderman Robertson and withdrawn before final vote. - Resolution 2025-09 (Number 1 Volunteer Fire Department mutual-aid agreement): motion by Alderman Collins; second Alderman Goodwin; outcome: approved (unanimous).
Board comments and next steps: Several aldermen said staff should monitor the agreements and discuss longer renewal intervals at future renewals. Lance (city staff) confirmed the language proposed matched the documents the volunteer boards reviewed the prior evening. The agreements include a 60-day termination provision for either party.
Ending: The two mutual-aid agreements were added to the agenda earlier in the meeting, approved after committee recommendation and passed without recorded dissent. The board asked staff to post the executed agreements on the city website for public access.
