Commission committee backs purchase of four SUVs for Shelby County Fire amid hybrid concerns

The county’s public‑works committee voted to send a resolution to the full commission recommending approval of four Chevrolet sport‑utility vehicles for the Shelby County Fire Department, a staff presentation said. The purchase would be paid from FY2026 fire enterprise funds in an amount not to exceed $238,742.

Eric Jackson, deputy fire chief, told commissioners the vehicles are replacements for command staff cars that have exceeded mileage thresholds in the department’s replacement plan. “This item before you is an item to replace four of our command staff vehicles, which has reached their mileage according to our replacement plan,” Jackson said.

Commissioner Sugarman asked whether the vehicles are hybrids or how many miles per gallon they get; Jackson said the department investigated hybrid and electric options but has not purchased them because of reliability concerns in emergency response. “With response vehicles, they have had problems because the vehicle is cut off sometime at the light or…sometime they don’t start back or they don’t respond well,” Jackson said. He said the department’s research referenced trade reporting and field experience.

Sugarman said she supported the purchase for now but urged staff to update the department’s research on hybrids and electrification, and suggested she might bring a resolution requiring additional review if the department did not revisit options. The committee chair reported the item will go to the full commission Monday with a favorable recommendation.