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Denton commissioners begin discussion on moving volunteer fire department under town control
Summary
Commissioners discussed options to transition the volunteer fire department to a town-run or hybrid municipal department, reviewed Wake Forest's model and asked staff to check the town charter, onboarding and vetting procedures, and potential inspection implications.
The Denton Board of Commissioners held an extended discussion on May 4 about the town's volunteer fire department and options to transition to a municipal or hybrid model. Commissioners, interim Fire Chief Travis Morris and staff reviewed outside examples and asked staff to check the town charter and state inspection implications.
Manager Angel Jenkins and Commissioner [speaker 10] referenced Wake Forest's hybrid model and a feasibility study that outlines resource needs, potential paid staffing levels and governance structures. "Wake Forest now has a hybrid. It is controlled by the town. They have paid staff, part time paid staff, and then they have their volunteers," said a presenter who shared example materials with the board.
Interim Fire Chief Travis Morris and others described operational constraints under the current volunteer model: the volunteer organization has been operating under its bylaws and some contractual arrangements, donations and independent fundraising have supported equipment and operations, but the town currently funds and dispatches services under a county contract. Commissioners focused on three items: whether the town charter already authorizes a town fire department (which would simplify the transition), whether bringing the department under town authority would trigger immediate reinspection or reclassification by the Office of State Fire Marshal, and how volunteer vetting, qualifications and appointment of a chief would be handled.
Staff said they had spoken to the county fire marshal and OSFM and expected organizational changes would prompt a reinspection. Commissioners asked staff to provide a copy of the town charter and organizational charts and to return with recommended next steps and a timeline; staff agreed to provide Wake Forest materials and sample organizational charts and to add the topic to the upcoming May 12 meeting for follow-up.
No formal vote was taken. The board directed staff to research the charter, clarify funding implications, and prepare options (including whether a feasibility study is required) for a future decision.
