Commission asks public safety committee to pursue school firefighter program at Hamilton Career Center

The Oconee County Advisory Fire Service Commission voted 6-0 to ask the public safety committee to advance a proposed school firefighter training position at the Hamilton Career Center and to clarify funding, scheduling and equipment issues before budgets are finalized.

The chair reported that the school district had included a training position in its budget and urged commissioners to contact Andy Smith to build support. Commissioners debated whether the program should be structured as a summer-only offering or as a full school-year program; several members said a summer-only model would be insufficient to deliver full firefighter training.

Funding split for the position was discussed but not settled: some committee members recalled the program previously operated at a 50/50 split between county and schools, while others said they had seen references to 70/30. The chair and other commissioners repeatedly described the funding share as unclear and said they would seek clarification from county administration and the school district.

Commissioner Truman Nichols (recorded in the minutes as the mover) made the motion to send the item to the public safety committee; Larry Wilkerson seconded. The motion passed by voice vote recorded as 6-0. Members asked the committee to come back with an implementation recommendation before third reading of county and school budgets, since the budgets will likely be finalized before the commission’s next scheduled meeting.

Next steps: the public safety committee will review the program proposal, confirm funding responsibilities and timing, and report back to the commission.