Va. Supervisors Take a Look at Fire-Rescue Budget

Feb. 14--Stafford County supervisors want to take a closer look at the increased budget proposed by the fire and rescue department.

The county has received a request for $6.9 million more for fiscal 2012–13. Part of that request comes from an unspecified amount for fire and rescue equipment, supplies and overtime costs.

Supervisor Jack Cavalier, chairman of the board's public safety committee, says this could be on the agenda at the committee's next meeting.

"We'll have to take a closer look. These things do come up," Cavalier said.

At a special meeting last Saturday, the Board of Supervisors kicked off the year's budget discussions by focusing on priorities.

All departments submit estimates for what they may need in the fiscal year starting July 1; a budget committee reviews these estimates.

This year, the county funded 109 full-time fire and rescue positions; seven additional firefighters are funded by a $1 million federal grant over two years, which the county accepted in April.

Stafford will be responsible for about $500,000 for these salaries in fiscal 2014. These recruits began work in November.

Since 2005, volunteer companies and career firefighters have merged.

Stafford has more than 450 total volunteers, but of those, about 250 are "active operational" volunteers--people who have responded to at least one call in the past year.

Volunteer units receive funding based on the amount of time that they are staffed. Potentially, the units that have more staff available may receive more funding from the county. Volunteer units also do their own fundraising.

"The county doesn't just write the volunteers a check and say, 'Here, hope you do well with it'--they have to do well to begin with," said Stafford County Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Brown.

Monthly orientation classes are held as part of recruitment efforts. Volunteer academies are held each year.

Volunteers do not receive any type of stipend, beyond personal-property tax relief on one vehicle.

At Saturday's meeting, supervisors discussed the possibility of having a study done on the department. In 2007, an independent review concluded that personnel needed additional training.

Supervisors could discuss this as the county's budget progresses.

The county administrator's proposed budget will be presented to the full board on March 6. Supervisors are scheduled to approve a revised budget at the end of April.

Katie Thisdell: 540/735-1975

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