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The state Department of Insurance rejected the Rural Fire Protection Agreement between Clay County and local volunteer fire departments because the original contract “did not specify services rendered or fire protection responsibilities.”
Larry Barr, state fire coordinator from Jackson, met with the supervisors, Robbie Robinson, chancery clerk and Bill Blankenship, county volunteer fire coordinator, Monday “to help supervisors on their contracts.”
“In today’s day and time, supervisors need to protect themselves and fire services have to be protected. Both parties can be sued,” said Barr.
Every four years contracts with counties and volunteer fire departments must be updated and approved by Mississippi Department of Insurance. This contract not only protects the firefighters, but the supervisors and Clay County, as well.
According Barr, the contract Clay County has worked under the same contract since 1988, when the volunteer fire departments were organized.
The volunteer fire departments are called for most emergency situations, including accidents and tornadoes.
Under the contract recently denied by the DOI, volunteer firefighters were not covered for anything other than fire, which could result in a lawsuit against the county.
More than 90 percent of Mississippi counties are currently using the contract Barr provided for the supervisors.
Barr reminded the supervisors how important volunteer firemen are to the county.
The people who volunteer are usually called as first responders.
Barr commended Blankenship for the job he has done for Clay County. Barr said when Blankenship was appointed to the job, he had a goal to improve the fire department by helping reduce the citizens’ insurance rates.
“Weather county homeowners know it or not, they receive a savings of 45 percent on insurance because of the hard work the fire department and Bill has put in,” said Barr.
Blankenship, who was not happy with signing the contracts over the last few years, told the supervisors he didn’t feel the contracts were any good.
Robinson agreed the county would re-draft and execute a new contract. Lee Coleman, board attorney, will be going over the points with Robinson.
“After the supervisors approve the contract and Barr, then we will call the chiefs in to look at the contract,” said Robinson.
Barr recommended inviting the firemen to review the contract also..
Blankenship asked Robinson about rebate money which was issued in June. Robinson explained the fire departments have $51,000 for this year and a balance from last year of $47,500.
According to Robinson, the fire trucks have a balance of $63,850, which needs to be paid. The supervisors will determine how much each VFD will receive.
Robinson said the Board will decide on the rebate money at the Thursday meeting or possibly the first meeting of Sept. 2.
Blankenship also asked Barr and Robinson about purchasing computers.
Barr said rebate money could be used for the purchase of a computer, but Robinson didn’t think it was a good idea.
“I do. I had to buy my own,” said Blankenship.
Robinson explained if the rebate money was spent for the purchase of the computer, the computers could only be used for fire department business.
According to the contract provided by Barr, not only could computers be purchased, but an internet service for every fire department could be obtained, with the Board approval.
Robinson said the internet for every fire department will not be provided for the departments.
An increase in the millage increase is not an option, because the Supervisors are wanting to cut the millage because of the reappraisal, according to Robinson.
Some counties give a $12 -- $15 call out fee, but Robinson said a call fee in Clay County had never been considered. According to Barr, this helps on personal expenses for volunteers.
In 1988, there were 355 volunteer departments. Now, the state has 762 volunteer departments and 70 sub-stations, with more than 16,000 firefighters. The state has invested in the past year $300 million for volunteer departments. There were $14.7 million in rebates awarded last year according to Barr.
“This is a fabulous program, and the contracts have to be right,” said Barr.t
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