Douglas County fire chief urges recruitment, equipment upgrades and behavior-health partnerships

Dr. Miles Allen, fire chief for the Douglas County Fire EMS Department, told Commissioner Martin Raxton that the department's role goes well beyond fighting fires: it includes EMS, technical rescue, hazardous-materials response and community outreach. "We do everything from...going to people's houses to help pick them up off the floor to…vehicle accidents, fires," Allen said.

Allen said the department is planning phased upgrades to ambulances, ladder trucks and fire stations while emphasizing that personnel are the critical constraint: "The need for personnel is even greater…recruiting is number one. However, retention is a close second." He said the department can recruit people with zero prior experience and train them, but also needs experienced candidates for supervisory roles.

On traffic safety, Allen pointed to I-20's high accident rates and urged drivers to "be attentive to the road…pay attention to speed limits" and avoid distractions. He framed public safety as a shared responsibility and encouraged residents to visit local fire stations to meet crews.

Allen also asked commissioners to support public-safety resources to address rising suicide and overdose trends. He described a Mobile Integrated Health program that pairs fire/EMS personnel with caseworkers and partner agencies to help residents with behavioral-health needs. "We have the subject-matter experts…we have the resources that will help in these situations," he said.

The chief said inspection staff reviews how new subdivisions and large facilities could affect emergency response and urged the county to factor increased population and infrastructure into resource planning.