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Fire chief presents full‑time staffing cost options; court to continue discussion at joint meeting
Summary
Fire Chief Leslie Goodrum told the Simpson County Fiscal Court on Sept. 19 that adding full‑time firefighters would require significant additional revenue—$384,527.49 for two per shift up to $1,104,294.22 for five per shift—and that four per shift is the preferred minimum under OSHA/NFPA guidance. The court deferred further action to the Oct. 17 joint meeting.
Fire Chief Leslie Goodrum addressed the Simpson County Fiscal Court on Sept. 19 with cost estimates for moving the county fire department toward full‑time staffing.
Goodrum presented four staffing scenarios and the additional revenue each would require over current budgets: $384,527.49 for two full‑time personnel per shift; $648,809.91 for three per shift; $913,092.33 for four per shift; and $1,104,294.22 for five per shift. Goodrum said that, because of OSHA and National Fire Protection Association 'two in, two out' standards, a four‑per‑shift model was the 'at‑least' preferred choice in the discussion.
Court members did not take formal action on staffing at the meeting; Judge Barnes and magistrates said there would be further conversation and that the topic would be on the agenda for the Oct. 17 joint city/county meeting.
The figures were presented as department estimates; the transcript does not record a formal funding plan or vote on staffing levels.
