City talks hiring third full-time firefighter

July 07--Leitchfield Fire Chief Tim Duvall made his case for the need of a third, full-time Leitchfield firefighter on Monday, July 3.

Duvall addressed the issue, which previously sparked debate among city officials, during the regular July 3 Leitchfield City Council meeting.

Currently, the Leitchfield Fire Department (LFD) employs two full-time firefighters, Duvall and First Captain Roy Hack. While Duvall is on salary, Hack is an hourly employee, and his overtime caused concern among both the LFD and City Council.

Duvall cites the cost of overtime pay due to an increasing workload as the primary factor for the need for either a third full-time firefighter or two part-time firefighters.

City Councilmember Margie Decker requested a list of Duvall and Hack's duties, and copies of this list were provided to the media, as well.

Duvall lists the following as his and Hack's daily/weekly responsibilities:

*Daily vehicle checks

*Daily equipment checks

*Maintenance on the LFD's 13 vehicles

*Ensuring that all safety equipment is in place on all runs

*Cleaning and maintaining both fire stations and the training center

*Weekly training and meetings

*Mowing Leitchfield Fire Station 1 and the training center

*Providing public education and fire prevention almost weekly while school is in session

*Keeping schedules for trucks and equipment to have annual inspections and upgrades

*Conducting annual pump tests for pumpers and tankers, as well as annual ladder tests

*Testing all 1.5-, 3-, and 5-inch hoses (both for safety and to maintain the LFD's ISO rating)

*Annual testing on 476 separately located fire hydrants

Duvall said this list does not include weekly, monthly, or annual activities that come up and take priority. As an example, he cited work that must be done if the LFD responds to a structure fire, including special equipment maintenance.

Leitchfield's Fiscal Year 2017-2018 budget included funding for the hiring of an additional firefighter, and City Councilmembers questioned whether hiring more LFD personnel would reduce the overtime pay, which, Leitchfield Mayor William Thomason said, totaled over 400 hours in four months.

Duvall said hiring a third full-time firefighter or two part-time firefighters would alleviate the majority of the overtime, but not all of it.

Leitchfield firefighter Derrick Lasley said some of Hack's need for overtime can be attributed to his being required to partake in 100 hours of training per year for his state retirement.

Additionally, Lasley said the LFD depends on Duvall and/or Hack at emergency scenes to supervise and ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Duvall said the dependency on himself and Hack, coupled with after-hours calls are major contributors to the overtime.

Thomason encouraged Duvall to be more vigilant in regulating hours and ensure that all paid firefighters remain busy during their scheduled shifts. He suggested having Hack adjust his 40-hour work week so that his training can be included in it.

City Councilmember Margaret Fey said she has been informed that some duties, such as maintaining Leitchfield Fire Station 2, are being neglected due the the LFD's being short-staffed.

Additionally, after speaking with some of the Leitchfield firefighters, Fey said, she feels the department could use another person, provided he or she stay busy.

City Councilmember Harold Miller said he appreciates the LFD's work, but the overtime pay is an issue for him.

"I don't think any of us are openly opposed," Miller said. "We want to sit down with you and plan and make sure everything is getting done."

Thomason appointed a committee consisted of Duvall, Miller, and Lasley to hire the new LFD personnel after the City Council makes a decision.

In other business:

*The City Council passed a resolution to lease the new, $315,654 Leitchfield fire truck through PNC Equipment Finance, LLC, for 10 years on a 3.1 percent interest rate.

The lease will consist of one annual payment for 10 years.

*The City Council voted to appoint Jessica Embry to the Leitchfield Tourism Commission.

Embry fills the seat vacated by Randy Pauley, whom has moved to Breckinridge County.

*The City Council voted to authorize the Grayson County Alliance to use James D. Beville Park in 2018 for Art in the Park.

*The City Council accepted a $180,000 cash offer for the city-owned recycling center and church from Tommy Higdon, of T & T Construction.

According to Thomason, Higdon intends to demolish the old church and bring his office and employees into town.

Thomason said the property was originally priced at $250,000, but the city received no bids.

*The City Council approved a change order from Young's Mechanical adding $4,480 to the Public Works maintenance facility project.

The change order was for the installation of louvers.

*Thomason encouraged anyone to make the city an offer for the purchase of one or both of the now city-owned houses on William Thomason Byway.

*The City Council approved $190 worth of repairs to a Leitchfield Fire Department Jeep.

Reach Matt Lasley at 270-259-9622, ext. 2015.

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