Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sheriff: Clay County will not certify volunteer vehicles for lights and sirens
Summary
A volunteer asked to have his vehicle certified for lights and sirens; Sheriff Alan Benninga declined, citing county policy and public-safety liability and stating the Sheriff makes the determination on volunteer emergency responder vehicle certification.
Sean Sawtelle, a Longford Rural Fire Department volunteer and Clay County resident, asked the Board whether his vehicle could be certified as an emergency responder vehicle with lights and sirens. Sheriff Alan Benninga told the Board he would not allow volunteers to respond with lights and sirens in Clay County, saying that decision rests with the Sheriff and that permitting volunteers to use such equipment would be a significant liability for the county.
The minutes record the Sheriff's refusal and note that Clay County will not allow volunteers to respond to emergencies with lights and sirens; the Board directed Sawtelle to follow up with Sheriff Benninga for any further discussion.
