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Council members debate county takeover of fire and EMS as volunteers decline
Summary
Councilors discussed whether fire and EMS services should remain local or be centralized by the county amid declining volunteer numbers, citing examples of a dissolved fire territory and concerns about equipment, response times and tax burdens.
Council members spent a significant portion of the teleconference debating the future of local fire and EMS services as volunteer staffing falls and costs rise.
Council member (S8) asked for opinions about districts, territories and whether the county might assume control of EMS and fire services, noting the risk that a county takeover could lead to the closure of New Harmony’s volunteer station: “We don't wanna lose our fire station,” they said.
Council member (S2) recounted regional experiences and argued that centralizing services can allow wider deployment: “I think my personal opinion is that the county should, take over EMS and fire services because they can deploy more widely.” S2 cited past local examples: Princeton dissolved a fire territory amid alleged misuse and theft, while Morgan County formed a territory and towns adjusted tax rates, producing taxpayer backlash.
Other members described tradeoffs that come with paid, staffed stations: faster guaranteed response times but higher tax burdens. Participants also discussed hybrid approaches used elsewhere — requiring sprinklers in new construction, training police officers as first responders, or combining fire and ambulance services — and worried about overtime costs and the viability of volunteer staffing in rural areas.
No decision was reached during the teleconference; members called the issue “volatile” and flagged it for continued discussion at upcoming budget and planning meetings.
