Woody
Fire Chief Dewey Woody presented the board with maps developed with GIS director Wayne Owenby of possible locations and the areas each would serve.
“One thing I tried to get for you is what is currently covered under the five-mile range and what is proposed to be covered under the five-mile range with some of the proposed locations,” Woody said.
Property for the proposed Hopewell station has already been purchased. This station would cover 5,009 structures within five miles. A proposed Waterville station, next to Waterville Elementary School, would cover 12,211 structures within five miles. A station at Highway 64 at Minnis Road would cover 14,186 structures. An alternative site for this third station was also mapped at Highway 64 and Lyles Road.
“By going a mile and a half out (to Lyles ) in coverage you lose 3,000 structures inside the five mile range,” Woody said.
Board member Louie Alford said it would be important to map out the proposed growth area for the city of Cleveland before building the new fire stations. Board member Ed Elkins said this would be important so a station would not be built in a location the city would eventually annex and provide fire coverage for.
“The other thing I think we need to look at is currently how many subdivisions are platted and how many lots, so we can get a potential of how many can be added because of those subdivisions,” Elkins said.
Woody said he did not know if Owenby could show future subdivisions. Elkins said considering future growth would also be important to ensure the stations will provide good fire coverage to the most people in the future. Woody said he would bring updated maps with additional information to the next meeting. The board discussed some other possible locations for the stations. Woody said the headquarters for the department would not be moved.
The department is also moving forward with plans for new engines and tankers that will be needed at the stations. The department will be ordering one engine and one tanker for each of the new stations. Woody said he would try to have the drawings of the specifications at the next meeting.
The new station and equipment are part of the development plan for Bradley County Fire Rescue serving the county without a fire contract with the city. A plan presented by Woody and Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis has been discussed at several fire board meetings, but has never been approved by the full Commission. During Tuesday’s meeting, Alford said the board needed to have its recommendation on the schedule discussed at an upcoming work session. Alford asked Fire Rescue Administrative Assistant Paula Garner to discuss this with Legislative Assistant to the Commission Amy Moore.
Also during the meeting, the fire board selected Dana Burgner as its new chairman.
