A resolution to improve training at the Jackson Fire Department and beef up the cooperative agreement between the city and Butts County Fire and Emergency Services was discussed at length, but not passed, by the Jackson City Council at its Tuesday, April 16 meeting.
The discussion comes on the heels of citizen complaints regarding the lack of medical services provided by the Fire Department and how employees are trained. Councilwoman Jeanette Riley, who drafted the resolution, requested it be added to the council meeting agenda.
In short, the resolution states the following:
• The city of Jackson Fire Department will respond to calls within and outside its response district as needed and Butts County Fire and Emergency Services will reciprocate.
• When both agencies respond jointly, they will adhere to the Unified Command System.
• Jackson firefighters will receive appropriate firefighter certification to the standards set by the state of Georgia.
• Employees of the Jackson Fire Department will receive appropriate emergency medical technician certification by the same medical director used by Butts County government.
• City and county employees will engage in regular joint training sessions and each agency’s chief officers will meet jointly no less than twice per month to discuss and evaluate effective joint operations.
Jackson Mayor Carlos Duffey suggested the resolution be tabled to allow the council and the city attorney time to review it.
“I just don’t think we need to be expedient and pass it tonight,” Duffey said. “We want the safety of our citizens, but we also have to protect the city from a lawful standpoint.”
City Attorney Michael Huening of Denmark Ashby Attorneys said resolutions are usually temporary measures and may not be the “proper vehicle” to handle the issue. He warned that a resolution would not change any existing mutual aid agreements or Fire Department policies.
“A resolution is a vehicle that expresses the will of the body. Then you add secondary items to enforce it,” he said. “If it’s the body’s will to improve and make changes, you can pass the resolution, but it may impact other policies. It just creates layers of conflicting authority.”
Based on the city attorney’s advice, Councilman Theodore Patterson suggested tabling a vote on the resolution.
“We can vote on it, but we may not be able to implement it and then we won’t have any kick back,” Patterson said. “If we allow time, we can be sure we are on solid ground. Then, if we do it right, there is no kick back.”
Councilman Ricky Johnson asked what the council could do, from a legal aspect, to quickly assure the best service is provided to residents of the city and the county.
Huening said the city can make immediate changes to internal policies and make sure both parties (Jackson and Butts County) “are on the same page” in regards to the agreement detailed in Riley’s resolution.
Riley said she and Councilman Don Cook met with representatives from Butts County to discuss the issue. Duffey said he was notified of the meeting the evening before and was unable to attend.
“The county will do whatever they need to do on their Monday (April 22) agenda. If not, we have to wait two more weeks. I do not think we need to put this off,” Riley said.
Johnson said he supports the heart of the resolution but doesn’t agree with passing a resolution that may not be enforceable.
“Everyone has a valid point. We don’t want to wait any longer to improve our fire department,” he said. “Is there not a way that we can meet in the middle? (We need to) find a way to get our employees training immediately. I know it’s a great resolution and I believe it would be enforced by the county. I just don’t want to see another minute go by where our fire department isn’t trained the way they should be.”
Councilman Lewis Sims said he does not understand the urgency of the issue. “The City of Jackson (Fire Department) is trained to fight fires. Butts County provides ambulance service,” Sims said.
Patterson said the council needs to approve an agreement that has been blessed by Butts County officials.
“There’s no doubt that what’s in (the resolution) is what’s needed, but we need to pass something that is binding and in total agreement with the county,” he said. “Let’s take the time to get an intergovernmental agreement with the county, and it will be binding and we can hold people’s feet to the fire.”
Riley made a motion to pass the resolution. The motion failed with only Riley and Cook voting in support.
Patterson made a motion to table the issue. The motion passed with Riley and Cook voting in opposition.
David Dunn, who worked for the Jackson Fire Department for 20 years, commented from the public.
“It saddens me to see what this department has become,” Dunn said. “We have got to do better. It’s not hard.”
Jackson resident Laura Carter said she agrees the city’s Fire Department services can be improved, but does not support the City Council “being rushed into making a decision.”
Butts County resident Anna DeBlanc asked what standards are in place at the city’s Fire Department.
“What we do is basic CPR until the ambulance arrives,” Duffey said. “We did vote a year ago that (Fire Department employees) must be EMS 1 certified after being in the department for two years.”
In other business, the council approved 2024 long-term right of way encroachment permits from Bradley’s Olde Tavern, Mesquite Mexican Grill and Bar, Tyler Garland’s office, B and B Pawn Shop, Tim Broyle’s State Farm and Saki Japanese Steak House.
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