Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission hearing on Memphis automatic‑aid deal draws residents’ pleas and deferred decision
Summary
Shelby County fire leadership backed a 3‑year automatic‑aid agreement that would have Memphis Fire respond as the primary fire responder in Bridgewater, South Cordova and Rocky Point; residents raised service‑quality, 911 confusion and funding concerns, and the commission sent the item to the full board without a recommendation for more public outreach.
Shelby County commissioners heard a presentation Oct. 23 on a proposed three‑year automatic‑aid agreement with the City of Memphis that would make Memphis the primary fire responder for Bridgewater, Rocky Point and South Cordova and carry an FY25 price tag not to exceed $1.3 million.
Fire Chief Benson said the county pursued the contract because Memphis has fire stations closer to the affected enclaves and can deliver faster response times. “They have fire stations proximate to those areas that can respond faster with more people,” Benson said, arguing the arrangement would provide “abundant” resources for residents currently considered underserved.
Several residents who live in the affected areas urged the commission to reject or delay the proposal. Vicky Stokes told the panel she believes the county’s unincorporated fire enterprise is running at a $2 million annual deficit and asked the commission to explore alternatives to the current fee structure before committing to the Memphis contract. “Please vote no to this proposed approach,” Stokes said. Jan Carrier and Patricia Possel (also identified in testimony) told commissioners the Bridgewater area has been “underserved” and warned the deal could leave residents dependent on a municipal provider whose performance some residents said was inadequate in the past.
Commissioners questioned the administration about the county‑owned Dexter Lane lot where a future county station was planned and asked whether local investments and annexation history had been fully considered. Vice Chair Avent moved to send the item forward to the full commission without recommendation so staff could continue community engagement and work through concerns; Commissioner Mills seconded. The committee agreed to place the item on the Monday agenda after further discussion.
What’s next: The commission will revisit the agreement at the next full board meeting; administrators said they will continue conversations with Chief Benson and collect additional community input before a final vote.
