When people rolled up to attend Monday’s Washington County Commission meeting in Jonesborough, they were greeted with at least seven firetrucks from each of the county’s volunteer fire departments along with units from Johnson City and Washington County-Johnson City EMS. The firetrucks were lined up in front of the George Jaynes Justice Center at 5 pm.
“We are doing this for two reasons,” said Tim Jaynes, Chief of the Limestone Volunteer Fire Department. “First, we want to emphasize the importance of home safety and fire safety during Fire Prevention Month and second, we want to thank The Commission and Washington County for supporting us,” Jaynes said. “As our county is growing that means more people and more pressure on all of our emergency services.”
Jaynes said the Washington County Commission provides $135,000 per year for each department. Washington County is 330 square miles with volunteers providing fire service to half that area. Johnson City firefighters cover the other households.
Charles Baines, President of the Washington County Fire Chiefs Association said volunteers do much more than firefighting. “We help EMS all the time with lift assist and rescues,” Baines said. He said volunteers have to learn many things, from vehicle extrication to CPR, as well as special training to be able to handle Emergency Vehicle Operations, Haz Mat, SIDS and Domestic Violence. Baines said there are 250 total volunteers from Jonesborough, Fall Branch, Limestone, Sulphur Springs, Gray, Embreeville and Nolichucky.
Commissioner Marty Johnson’s Commission District (2) is so large it contains three volunteer fire departments: Limestone, Embreeville and Nolichucky.
“When you see how large the area is that they have to cover, you see how vital these volunteers are to our rural communities,” Johnson said. “We appreciate them and all their dedication. They invest so much of their time.”
Baines said many of Washington County’s firefighters started out as teen volunteers and are now married with young children of their own. “They try to balance going to the ball fields and being here,” he said. “With more growth in the county we are seeing more call volume,” he said.
The 6 pm Commission meeting agenda included a Proclamation Recognizing October as Fire Prevention Month, honoring firefighters who serve Washington County and encouraging all citizens to educate themselves and their families to help protect homes and families.