Published: May 14, 2009 10:57 am      

Should Branford assist the county with fire protection?

Town council considering the matter

The Branford Town Council will soon decide whether to assist the county with fire protection through the Branford Volunteer Fire Department. Currently, volunteers only respond to calls inside the Branford city limit.

County Commissioner Wesley Wainwright came to the town council on Tuesday with the request.

Wainwright told council members that some of his constituents that live just outside of Branford have come to him with concerns about fire protection.

Charlie Conner, fire chief with Suwannee County Fire/Rescue, said on Wednesday that there has been a significant increase in fire and rescue calls in some areas of the county. This means that personnel with SCFR Station 3 in Branford usually gets called out, leaving that area without fire protection from the county.

"It happens a lot," Conner said. "It's not the exception, it's the rule."

Shirley Clark, town council president, said while the council is concerned about all Suwannee County residents "our responsibility ends at the city limits."

Clark asked how the county would compensate the volunteer fire department for their efforts.

"It costs us to keep fire engines going and keep (the personnel) trained," she said.

Wainwright asked the council to name its terms for the service and he would take the request to the county commission.

Clark said at one time Branford volunteers did respond to calls beyond the city limit.

The council will revisit the matter at its next regular meeting.