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Tazewell County board dissolves volunteer fire company, reassigns coverage and equipment
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted to dissolve the Tazewell County Volunteer Fire Department at the fairgrounds and reassign its coverage to adjacent departments until part‑time companies or a new fire company assume the district; apparatus and equipment will be reallocated by the county’s fire and EMS director.
The Tazewell County Board of Supervisors voted to dissolve the county’s volunteer fire department located at the fairgrounds and reassign its coverage to adjacent departments pending the deployment of part‑time fire units or the formation of a new company.
Supervisor (speaker 8) moved that the board “dissolve the Tazewell County Volunteer Fire Department, which is currently located at the fairgrounds … and reassign their coverage area to the department adjacent to their district until our part time fire departments deploy in June or until our new fire company assumes the district.” The motion included language to reallocate equipment and apparatus “among other departments that are covering their area or to the new part time fire department or fire company as the director, fire and EMS services directs.” A second was recorded and the motion passed on a voice vote.
Board members did not provide a roll‑call record attached to the motion in the packet; the meeting transcript records the motion, a second and approval by voice vote. The board did not publish details in the meeting packet about which apparatus would transfer immediately or the schedule for reassignment; the motion instructs the county fire and EMS director to direct reallocation.
Supervisors framed the move as an operational necessity during a transition period. The dissolution motion followed an executive‑session discussion the board said concerned personnel matters and contract negotiations; supervisors said the reassignment was to remain in effect until new part‑time coverage begins in June or a new company assumes responsibility for the district.
The board’s action gives the county administrator and the fire and EMS director authority to redistribute equipment and direct coverage. The motion does not itself create funding for new staffing or new station construction; any capital or operational funding for new part‑time departments and long‑term coverage would require separate allocation or grant awards.
The board adjourned after setting multiple follow‑ups, including joint discussions with the Industrial Development Authority on other campaign items at a recessed meeting scheduled for Feb. 11.
