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Troup County fire chief asks commissioners for 12 firefighters and EMS upgrades
Summary
The fire chief requested 12 full‑time firefighter/EMT positions (4 per shift) and administrative hires to boost EMS and improve the county's ISO standing; he outlined plans for paramedic training beginning in October and said personnel shortages hamper response in unserved areas.
Fire Chief (speaker 13) urged the Board of Commissioners to add 12 full‑time firefighter/EMT positions in FY26 — four per shift — to raise minimum shift staffing toward 20 personnel and reduce single‑person station risk.
"It's asking a lot of 1 person to drive a $500,000 fire truck to a house fire and expect to adequately function," the chief said. He described the department's plan to expand EMS capacity by placing squads with EMS equipment into service, running an in‑house EMT class now and launching a paramedic program in October to upskill staff. The chief also asked for an EMA coordinator and a logistics position to manage grants, repairs and maintenance.
He stressed the staffing request ties to the county's ISO rating: personnel shortfalls previously reduced ISO points, affecting insurance outcomes for property owners. The chief presented current training levels — 29 basic EMTs, seven intermediate EMTs, nine advanced EMTs and three paramedics — and said the county's call volume has increased each year over the last five years. He asked commissioners to consider phased hiring to avoid a larger shortfall later.
