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Ft. Oglethorpe Fire Feud

Fort Oglethorpe has a plan to by-pass a volunteer fire brigade with half a century's worth of history arguing they want too much money. "It would cause us to have to fund almost twice what we're funding now," said Mayor Ronnie Cobb. On a $100,000 home, he says, property taxes would have to be hiked $200.

Post firefighters disagree. "The tax increase has kinda been thrown out there as a scare tactic," said Post Chairman Robbie Tester. "It's really not that significant compared to our latest offer that we gave the city and what the city manager's proposal was for fire service." $10-15,000 as opposed to the half- million the mayor suggests, Tester says.

City leaders want to go to a full-time Fort-O force to handle calls in the city limits instead of paying for Post answer the bell. "We could actually have a city-proper fire department with staffed people, staffed fire fighters on it," explained Mayor Cobb, "just right at the same money we're budgeting now."

But, that plan is waiting on the completion of Station 7 on Lakeview Drive and would include only one firehouse staffed and ready 24-7. An unacceptable risk, say post members, and a change in the level of service that could lead to increases in insurance premiums.

Post volunteers have asked for more funding than usual because they are shifting from volunteer to part-time status. They say the city has skipped out on the bill for almost a month now. They have essentially been fighting fires for free since June 23rd. Because of this and the lack of a concrete plan for merging forces, they have threatened to suspend service if not reimbursed by July 22nd. "We've been doing this since the 50's. We have no intention of ever stopping our services," admitted Tester, "but to turn them over completely to the city, to personnel that I don't feel are very capable of running this type of department without our input, it's just not the safe thing to do."

Mayor Cobb says the city plan is sound and he rejects claims that he does not support fire fighters and emergency personnel. "We have a good police department, a good fire department and we're not gonna compromise either one of these," Cobb said. "Not on the count of budget. But, we're gonna have to look at the best way to do business at the most economical way."

The mayor went on to say Post members are welcome to apply for full-time positions in the new Fort Oglethorpe Fire Department and he is prepared to contract out for fire services if necessary.

The issue was supposed to be discussed at a special council meeting Monday morning, but three no-shows meant no quorum, and no resolution.

By: Greg Glover                                                                                                    Anchor/Reporter