Fire chiefs and commissioners debate radios, truck funding and equipment priorities as budget unknowns persist

County staff and fire department representatives used the July 21 meeting to press commissioners for clearer budgeting and to discuss equipment and communications problems that affect emergency response.

A fire department representative said the microwave link used for radio communications was "aimed at the wrong tower," which helps explain intermittent radio performance. "The microwave that shoots everything that's supposed to go to that tower is totally missing the receptor that it's supposed to be getting," the representative said, describing why radios have not worked well since a recent system change.

Commissioners and the fire representative also reviewed equipment and grant issues: the department has pumps, hoses and personal protective equipment in storage but lacks a long-term plan to replace or buy a fire truck. Participants debated whether to budget carryover cash into a machinery-and-equipment fund, whether to propose a mill-levy increase, and how mutual-aid agreements and ownership of specific vehicles (including a vehicle reported as associated with the Peerless Fire District and a DNRC offer) should be handled.

The commission asked the fire representatives to produce a prioritized equipment list and requested Jess (county staff) provide monthly detailed budget reports so commissioners can identify discretionary or nonessential spending that could be shifted to capital savings. Commissioners discussed smaller near-term savings (avoid repeat purchases such as ice, consolidate supplies) as ways to build toward a truck fund while preserving readiness.

Next steps: the fire representative will deliver a written priority list for equipment and a suggested savings plan at the next monthly meeting; staff will provide monthly budget detail to the chief and the commission.