County approves emergency services contract with Kingston Springs; allocates $200,000 to rural fire departments

Cheatham County approved a contract with the Town of Kingston Springs to provide fire protection, emergency medical first responder and rescue services for the Kingston Springs Rural Fire District and authorized a $200,000 annual distribution to support rural fire protection.

The contract (term July 1, 2021–June 30, 2025) requires the town to answer fire and emergency medical calls within the designated district and to respond with apparatus and volunteer personnel as available. The Board approved the contract by roll call; the motion and vote are recorded in the meeting packet.

The county will provide $200,000 annually for distribution by the County Fire Chief to participating departments and the county Fire Association. The meeting record includes the distribution schedule: $27,500 each to Ashland City, Pleasant View (paid to PVVFD), Kingston Springs and Pegram fire departments; $27,500 to Two Rivers (paid to ACFD); $27,500 to Harpeth Ridge; and $30,000 to the county Fire Association (total $200,000). The contract and Exhibit B map define the Kingston Springs Rural Fire District service area.

The contract text notes that the Town operates as a volunteer department and that no service-level guarantee can be absolute because of weather, response to simultaneous incidents, or unavailable personnel. The town agreed to maintain required training, submit TFIRS incident reports and comply with the county Emergency Operations plan. The contract further requires the town to maintain insurance and provide annual audited accounts for funds received under the agreement.

Commissioners voted to approve the contract and the annual distribution schedule; details and the contract exhibit are part of the official packet.