Fruitland passes tax for full-time firefighters

Voters in the Fruitland Area Fire Protection District narrowly approved a tax increase Tuesday that fire officials said will allow for full-time staffing at the main station.

Fire chief Rob Francis said the outcome will allow firefighters to respond faster to fires and medical calls.

"The biggest thing is the faster response time out the door," he said.

The measure passed by a 41-vote margin, 547 to 506.

"I am excited," Francis said. "We have work to do before us."

The 50-cent increase in the tax levy is expected to generate nearly $524,000. It will pay salaries, insurance and benefits for two staff officers and nine firefighters/medical first responders, according to officials with the rural fire district.

Plans call for having three paid crew members on each eight-hour shift. Volunteers still would make up the bulk of the department staff.

The district currently has 30 volunteer firefighters.

Fire officials said having some paid staff manning the main fire station 24 hours a day could result in a better insurance rating and lower the cost of fire insurance for residents and businesses.

The district has three fire stations. The stations at New Wells and along Highway 177 will continue to be staffed by volunteers, fire officials said.

The staffing changes are expected to take place once the district receives the added tax revenue later this year.

Some of the paid staffing could be in place by the end of the year with the rest coming on board in the first part of next year, Francis said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641