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Court agrees to add fire marshal post and fund firefighter positions; two stations to staff 24/7
Summary
After public comment from the fire department on staffing and safety risks, commissioners approved a motion to add a fire marshal at captain pay and to proceed with six firefighter positions funded from CAD so two stations can operate 24 hours.
Representatives from Potter County Fire Rescue described recent high‑risk responses and longstanding staffing problems that the department said are driven by a failing volunteer model and pay disparities with nearby agencies. The fire representative provided a funding plan that would defer an $850,000 Station 5 remodel and reallocate part of CAD funding to pay raises and an additional fire marshal position.
After extended discussion about sustainability and CAD balances, the court approved motions to keep six firefighter positions in the CAD budget, add one fire‑marshal position at a captain pay grade (to be funded from CAD), and to purchase required air packs from fund balance. Commissioners said two fire stations (Stations 3 and 5) will be staffed 24/7 under the plan; staff estimated the firefighter/CAD package and fire marshal would increase CAD commitments by roughly $385,000–$473,000 depending on final pay steps and benefits.
Fire leaders said the additional staffing would reduce overtime and give the county continuous coverage on two stations; commissioners asked for continued planning and confirmed that the air‑pack replacement will be paid from fund balance to meet replacement deadlines.
