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Roane County shifts volunteer fire departments to contract model to limit county liability
Summary
The commission approved a resolution to contract with volunteer fire departments as independent contractors rather than as county agents—an approach recommended by CTAS to reduce county liability exposure; commissioners asked whether the change applies only going forward.
Roane County’s Commission voted unanimously Aug. 25 to change how volunteer fire departments are structured in relation to the county, moving them from being county agents to independent contractors under written agreements.
The resolution (motion by Commissioner Parks; second by Commissioner Gann) was framed by the county attorney as a liability-limiting step recommended by CTAS after other Tennessee counties experienced lawsuits that drew county liability when volunteer organizations were treated as county agents. The county attorney said the change creates “an invisible wall that should isolate the county from liability that, would otherwise result if they do something wrong.”
Commissioners asked whether the change would cover past incidents, such as vehicle or aircraft accidents involving volunteer departments. The county attorney said the contractual approach is prospective — it limits future exposure but does not retroactively alter responsibility for events that occurred before the contracts take effect.
Why it matters: The formal contracting arrangement clarifies operational responsibilities and insurance expectations for volunteer departments and reduces the county’s legal exposure for future incidents. The measure passed with no recorded opposition.
What’s next: Contracts and operational details will be drafted and administered by county staff; commissioners asked that the contracts ensure volunteer departments maintain adequate insurance and that the details be returned to the commission for review.
