[{"_1":2,"_96":-5,"_97":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6079818,"mediaKeyId","2953944-355f40a2a72477abfbe23530046ad5cb","parentId",2953944,"title","Bradley County Fire & Rescue seeks AEDs, turnout gear and radios; commissioners debate mechanic hire and lift/pit options","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4018000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953944-355f40a2a72477abfbe23530046ad5cb&start=4018&end=4018","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953944-355f40a2a72477abfbe23530046ad5cb/thumbnail_4018000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079818/Bradley-County/Tennessee/Bradley-County-Fire-Rescue-seeks-AEDs-turnout-gear-and-radios-commissioners-debate-mechanic-hire-and-liftpit-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079818-19689e230acc8819c7939737c8e2a6b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142712&Signature=Af-whZTkGAjcA41LEiplFMxUBahMNNprHYNNlGmy4DsnGUZXLVUfBl-TSWxkfOW62k8b-CugQvyONVKl3thwZmufhGADLNsJKCO2bBeOYLhELJnFT7lFWiCmRn7UYhj0DK~-aB2i5gxqShH4OQucOeUhlemnhBFXaHihJ0yk2uZy~YA4GAixFZIjzdEbmbHe2cfKpfUYPmw-RDBtxvs4mh42N8AZb7ijjc0kI7o9qhY-ZJ02wbdu7qZmYmzwZptoyR924SaBrUx7HYT4KtkEuhG17IpoSGD5cZx2AWJgNPsG~sxpAmoUa0LieaMwN~OXNEbMwl~HWPINpZHe-V1k4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bradley County, TN","date","2025-04-10T15:36:24Z","article","Chief Jeff Stewart told the commission Bradley County Fire & Rescue is requesting replacements and personnel to maintain safety and fleet readiness, and said a recruit class due to graduate May 16 will bring the department to full staffing.

Stewart identified several budget priorities: replacement automated external defibrillators (AEDs) purchased after a 2013 grant are aging (the department cited roughly 10 units and roughly $3,000 per unit as planning figures), turnout gear that has a roughly 10‑year service life and is now being rotated out, and radios that date to 2008 and need phased replacement to align with countywide radio upgrades. On personnel, Stewart described a request to hire a mechanic to reduce outsourcing costs and to convert a part‑time/fire‑marshal role to full‑time; he said the current marshal works 24 hours in a pay period and handles inspections and investigations.

“Those radios that we have now are 2008 models … we’re towards the end of the … phase‑out,” Stewart said. On turnout gear he noted a previous purchase 6–7 years ago and said replacements can be phased to manage cost. He also said the department’s volunteer ranks have increased by about 15% and now sit at roughly 40 volunteers.

Why it matters: Commissioners said equipment and mechanic capacity could reduce long‑term maintenance and vendor costs. Several members pushed for a cost‑benefit analysis of hiring an in‑house mechanic versus continuing to send vehicles to commercial shops in Chattanooga and Knoxville. Commissioners and staff also debated facility constraints: whether a maintenance pit or a vehicle lift should be planned at a new facility and the regulatory and safety reasons pits have become less feasible.

Facility and maintenance debate

- Lift vs. pit: Commissioners recalled prior study of a maintenance pit and a shared facility with the road department. Chief Stewart and others said a pit became cost‑prohibitive because of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements and other liability/space concerns; several speakers said a hydraulic lift would be more capable for axle and wheel work but is expensive and requires adequate bay space and ceiling height.

- Mechanic position: Commissioners discussed placing a mechanic at an existing station or the new Menace Road facility and whether that hire could be cost‑neutral by offsetting vendor expenses. Mayor Davis said converting current contractor payments into a salaried employee has been a stated objective; the mayor and commission asked for further financial detail.

Personnel, recruitment and training

Stewart said a recruit class will graduate May 16, which will fill the department’s authorized headcount. He said retention efforts include enhanced training opportunities, leadership involvement and increased paid training for volunteers. He added that volunteers can now receive pay for qualifying training, and the mutual‑aid system provides additional training capacity.

Ending

Commissioners asked Stewart to return with detailed cost comparisons for the mechanic position, phased procurement schedules for AEDs and radios, and estimates for the fire marshal position as a full‑time role. The commission praised the department’s staffing progress and volunteer growth and requested follow‑up financial detail to evaluate long‑term tradeoffs between in‑house maintenance and outsourcing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/10/25 - Bradley County Budget Hearings","oneSentenceSummary","Fire Chief Jeff Stewart presented equipment‑and‑staffing requests — replacement AEDs, turnout gear, radio upgrades, a proposed mechanic position and a full‑time fire marshal — and discussed retention, volunteer increases and infrastructure needs; commissioners raised cost and facility questions including whether a lift or pit is justified.","taxTitle","Bradley County, Tennessee","taxId",54286,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6079823,"Bradley County EMA outlines plan to move 9‑1‑1 to Overlook Drive building; $700,000 renovation grant said to be likely",1008,1890000,2898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953944-355f40a2a72477abfbe23530046ad5cb&start=1890&end=2898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953944-355f40a2a72477abfbe23530046ad5cb/thumbnail_1890000.jpg","/articles/6079823/Bradley-County/Tennessee/Bradley-County-EMA-outlines-plan-to-move-911-to-Overlook-Drive-building-700000-renovation-grant-said-to-be-likely","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079823-f521b84cb3b3827ec32ca63df5fded27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142712&Signature=c9alpzWih3B--6bgbHR8S-BTE3zGP0RTDz9XjQYYkZV9I0f7~A404r59gOWWYxRBo2Re4IgshZWeXa2k2M2vK31zVSq7s4YRgkLkU3kzsmjRkxUT1RSpk3pmJD4k3sSHde6mfdHCALNNZ7q8rmpQ3JhdxQ6-H-H3F7i9JdESBwJOgRKu3wKQkEjeDehL9zB2I-4vYr34zg2tCh5xeTtw29DQSyIgXNg9DbJKLrrrKdK5bWt78elXp2g2z-Nu9ladjkWtqJ2p-6X7heOwcBrIsQ8l6ip2H1xH~ZS1hyeG~pYoc~PwI9ZTAv6nktDO6m6UfSSLpRhSXwx0LQiJLTXulA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Troy, director of Bradley County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), told the commission the county plans to relocate EMA and expand emergency operations into a county‑owned building on Overlook Drive, using a mix of tornado recovery funds, grant awards and appropriations rather than building a new Class‑4 structure.

Troy said the county already owns the Overlook Drive building, which is currently leased to the state. He told commissioners the county has $100,000 from 2020 tornado funds available for exterior repairs and has applied for a $700,000 noncompetitive grant that staff believe is “almost assured.” A separate $1.2 million appropriations request for technology and security was moved into the 2026 budget by the state; those funds would pay for the emergency operations center (EOC) bunker and communications upgrades, Troy said.

Why it matters: Troy said renovating and occupying the existing building avoids the much larger cost of building a new Class‑4 facility (estimates to build new were described as rising from roughly $2.4 million to $5–7 million when a Class‑4 standard was applied). The new site would provide warehouse space for disaster receipts and a more secure EOC, which Troy said would reduce the county’s need to rent temporary offices and warehouses during incidents.

Key details and timeline

- Lease and move timing: Troy said the state’s lease on the Overlook Drive building expires Sept. 30 (the meeting occurred in late April) and the county’s goal is to move operations in roughly October, with some systems phased in afterward. Troy cautioned the war‑room or hardened EOC depends on the timing of the second grant and technology contracts; that phase may remain in the existing 9‑1‑1 center until funding arrives.

- Funding sources: Troy described three primary sources: $100,000 in tornado recovery funds for exterior work, a noncompetitive $700,000 grant (under review but believed likely), and a $1.2 million appropriation for technology/security that has been moved to the 2026 budget cycle.

- Operational benefits: Troy and commissioners noted the building would provide on‑hand warehouse space to receive donated supplies during disasters and on‑site office space for federal or state personnel who assist with recovery paperwork — a cost‑avoidance benefit compared with renting off‑site facilities.

- Cost-sharing and revenue: Troy said EMA’s operating budget is funded roughly 80% by the county and 20% by the city; EMA also receives recurring grant revenue (e.g., EPPG) and tower lease revenue. Commissioners discussed whether the town/city contribution remains equitable given countywide service coverage.

- Grant administration and staffing: Commissioners and Troy discussed adding a grant writer to the county to manage the increased grant load across departments; several commissioners said a shared grant writer could pay for itself if used countywide.

Commissioner comments and next steps

Commissioners asked about renovation scheduling, parking, use of nearby businesses for overflow parking or training, and whether the county could rely on neighboring private property for staging large operations. Troy said the county has discussed cooperation with neighboring businesses and is completing grant paperwork; he said the county will likely bring a resolution in May to stop renewing the current lease and proceed with the move once contracts are signed.

Ending

Troy said the county is confident in the noncompetitive grant and that the move should not require local capital beyond operating costs; commissioners asked staff to return with contract and schedule details as grant documents are finalized.","Emergency Management Agency Director Troy told commissioners the county plans to relocate EMA and parts of 9‑1‑1 into a county‑owned building on Overlook Drive, funded by tornado recovery funds, a nearly certain $700,000 noncompetitive grant and a $1.2 million appropriation for technology; target move is after the state lease ends Sept. 30.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":42,"_43":89,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6079828,"Bradley County Parks and Recreation asks for full-time park staff, $56,000 pavilion in budget pitch",2470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953944-355f40a2a72477abfbe23530046ad5cb&start=2470&end=2470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953944-355f40a2a72477abfbe23530046ad5cb/thumbnail_2470000.jpg","/articles/6079828/Bradley-County/Tennessee/Bradley-County-Parks-and-Recreation-asks-for-full-time-park-staff-56000-pavilion-in-budget-pitch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079828-ed8b85d3f7d980c5cb48cd45f00da7bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142712&Signature=i3N61rID8Kzx9OC3F8c-u2WDhx7gY13FWiYDPsOdG562SRhRMA1os86t4I-TNSSG0KAuKDUnHm7-K~qicfpTJ~NZ8o9ZvnzWR9TxPUaLwf3M-6SWWjoKGqbECyn9e6ciX3tD~UiIDd22Ik5XAwoBZ5b3Ko6wPDjDnKXGsy~xn3aSQKe8nQG4YDpEYhPJzOF1Q2RPzzo2AuT-ZnHCx6hWVzudZT3hdisXdcATTLY6mx7-CGLkOIcC61q4Mq9pMrp8s7JRE~1FAgxva8w4egr15woGiqT1OxWybIoUnTb~2F6xhjTbhaUh-FLmrLvPk~Jzwzk-1rWbYSHADYcdmwwcnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Recreation staff briefed the Bradley County Commission on budget requests that center on staffing and small capital projects, with the top priority an extra full‑time employee to keep parks maintained year‑round.

The request was presented by Andy, Parks and Recreation staff, who told the commission he wants “a full time employee at Elrod Park as opposed to just having a part time guy for about half a year.” He said the county’s park portfolio now includes lit ball fields, a disc golf course and other facilities that need more regular upkeep.

Commissioners pressed for details and context. Commissioner Mason noted the department’s priority ordering and said the full‑time position was the most important item; Mayor Davis and others emphasized that officials and part‑time staffing for programs were also pressing budget items. “If you get the full time employee, does extra money for part time still remain a number two?” Mayor Davis asked; Andy replied that officials and part‑time pay remain a high priority because officials are increasingly difficult to recruit.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the request as a maintenance and programming issue that affects safety, field readiness and the county’s ability to host tournaments that bring visitors and local economic activity. Andy said the county has events scheduled through November and estimated weekend tournament attendance at 30–40 teams on busy weekends.

Details and other items discussed

- Staffing and coverage: Andy described current staffing at specific sites: one part‑time employee at Minnis Road; one at Blue Spring; two assigned across the county complex (upper/lower); one at Bradley North; and one swing/float employee who covers multiple sites. The requested position would provide year‑round presence at Elrod Park, where he estimated about 70 acres of grounds to maintain.

- Pickleball/tennis facility: Commissioners asked about a $56,000 line item. Andy said that figure is a vendor quote (not yet formally bid) for a combined two‑bathroom building with storage and, eventually, an attached pavilion next to the pickleball and tennis courts at the Urbane park site.

- BMX track and fence: Andy said the BMX association operates the track and volunteers have done substantial improvements; the department maintains surrounding areas. A $12,000 request would help replace the perimeter fence around the BMX track; Andy said the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and tourism representatives would contribute roughly 50% toward that fence if the county funds the remainder to upgrade the venue for larger meets.

- Program operations: Andy described the maintenance supervisor and athletic coordinator roles. The maintenance supervisor directs field upkeep and works hands‑on; the athletic coordinator runs leagues, serves as the primary contact for coaches and manages equipment and scheduling. Commissioners asked for clarifications on duties and how new staff would fit into existing pay scales; Andy said the salary figure shown in the budget line was for base salary only and benefits would be added separately.

Commissioner concerns and context

Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the department’s priorities: an additional full‑time employee first, additional part‑time pay and officials second, and larger items such as turf fields further down the long‑term wish list. Some commissioners suggested incremental approaches to upgrades and parking improvements at busy facilities.

Ending

Andy told the commission he will continue to refine cost estimates for the pavilion/bathroom and other capital lines and return with additional detail as the budget process proceeds. Commissioners signaled support for the staffing priority while noting competition for limited county dollars.","Parks and Recreation staff asked the commission for an additional full-time employee to staff each park year‑round and budgeted $56,000 for a combined restroom/storage/pavilion at the pickleball/tennis complex; commissioners also discussed BMX fence funding and facility maintenance priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bradley County Fire & Rescue seeks AEDs, turnout gear and radios; commissioners debate mechanic hire and lift/pit options

Bradley County EMA outlines plan to move 9‑1‑1 to Overlook Drive building; $700,000 renovation grant said to be likely

Bradley County Parks and Recreation asks for full-time park staff, $56,000 pavilion in budget pitch