Fire chiefs tell commission staffing, coverage and dispatch remain challenges; county pursuing radio repeater on Pioneer Water Tower

Multiple district chiefs told the Oconee County Fire Commission on Dec. 18 that staffing shortages, recruiting and retention challenges, and communication problems with dispatch are affecting coverage across districts.

"They're pretty much all on the same level where, some coverage issues is concerned and recruiting and retention of members," Truman Nicholson said, summarizing trends reported by the departments he represents. Nicholson also flagged training scheduling needs and said, "Communication with dispatch and the radio frequencies and stuff is a problem." The concerns were raised during the commission’s district updates portion of the agenda.

Chief Collins (District 4) identified station staffing and station coverage as the primary concerns in his area and suggested tabling an extended discussion until the January meeting to allow more time for staff and commissioners to address the issue.

District 5 reported that county permission had been obtained to place a repeater on the Pioneer Water Tower; the installation and coordination were being routed through the sheriff’s department to facilitate implementation. A county representative said the sheriff’s office would help facilitate that work.

Commissioners agreed to address staffing and communications in greater detail at the January workshop and to coordinate with the sheriff’s department and county staff on technical steps for the repeater.