Crossville Fire Department Recognizes New Firefighters Trained at $16,000 Savings

New members of the Crossville Fired Department were recognized at the March City Council Meeting along with their training officers.

Pictured L-R are Fire Chief Mike Turner, 

Rookie Firefighters Thomas Vance, 

Hunter Garrett, Jeff Connell, Don Johnson, 

Eric Hickman, Training officer Capt. Terry Potter and 

Firefighter/paramedic Brian Garrett 

According to Crossville Fire Chief Mike Turner, the new firefighters have completed 300 hours of basic training and still have two more years of training, including medical, to complete.

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Chief Turner explained that the training was done in-house by Fire Academy certified trainer Captain Terry Potter at a savings of some $16,000.

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The new men will greatly enhance the fire department's daily operations according to Chief Turner

Crossville Firefighter of the Quarter Recognized

The Crossville Fire Department honored the firefighter of the quarter chosen by his peers during the Crossville City Council meeting.  Donald Earhart, who goes by Barney, received the award for exemplary service to the citizens of Crossville. 

Crossville Fire Chief Mike Turner, left, congratulates

Barney Earhart for his award as Firefighter of the

quarter as family members watch.  

At right is Fire Captian Tim Johnson.

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Thomas Smith recognized as Crossville firefighter of the quarter

In a recognition chosen by his peers, Crossville firefighter Thomas Smith was honored as the Firefighter of the Quarter by Crossville Fire Chief Mike Turner.

Chief Mike Truner congratulates Thomas Smith

being chosen as the Firefighter of the Quarter.

Chief Turner said he had known Smith since he was a child and he is currently an EMT and is now attending Paramedic school.  "He is a great asset to our city and to every citizen here," added Turner as he presented Smith with his certificate.

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Crossville City Council Unanimously approved purchase of two new firetrucks for Crossville

The Crossville city council unanimously approved the purchase of two new fire trucks for the Crossville Fire Department during the regular October council meeting.

The two trucks include a new pumper to replace a 1993 model truck, currently the oldest in the fleet, that will be traded in on the purchase for $12,000 credit. Council also approved the purchase of a 107-foot single axle ladder truck that will put the current 1994 model 75 foot ladder truck in reserve.

The top truck is similar to the new city pumper and

the bottom photo represents the city's new ladder truck

Council also approved using a Texas-based cooperative to make these purchases that allow governments across the country access to purchasing through the Texas inter-local cooperation Act similar to the Tennessee state contract purchases. This buyers cooperative will reduce the price of the fire apparatus by some 10 percent as the cooperative bid out the firetruck purchase contracts almost 2 years ago and new contracts raise the costs by 10 percent. The city's purchase must be completed by the end of the month when the new prices go into effect. Those savings will allow the city to purchase the necessary additional material to fully equip the trucks for less than the amount of money saved.  Many other Tennessee cities and counties use the same cooperative to make purchases.

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The cost of the two trucks with the cooperative pricing comes to $1,605,172.54 with the addition of $162,047 for equipping the trucks the total cost is $1,779,249.54. The city will pay for the trucks and then finance the purchase over 10 years. Using the cooperative purchase and prepay program saves the city $185,000 on the two trucks over buying them another way.

During the budget process, the council had approved one truck to replace the old pumper for an estimated $850,000 but as the department and new city manager Greg Wood began looking at the needs of the department and it was determined that the originally proposed pumper and “snozzle” truck with an articulated arm and a nozzle on the end would not meet the needs of the city.

Council discussion on firetruck purchases

The current ladder truck is only a year newer then the truck being traded in and mechanical troubles were cropping up. Due to its age, it would have to be replaced soon as well. In addition, the 75-foot ladder was no longer adequate to reach all the buildings in the community for adequate fire protection.

A team of fire department officers did additional research and put together additional plans for department improvements. With the addition of two new trucks, other vehicles can be put in reserve to lengthen the life for those units as well. Also, in the future when another fire station is built, those trucks will be available for use there.

The new pumper will have a 1500 gallon per minute pump (GPM) and a 1000 gallon tank. It also will have an enhanced foam system with the capability to pump and roll. The foam is important for dealing with flammable liquids and incidents at the airport. The truck will also have jaws of life on board.

The new ladder truck includes a 1500 GPM pump and a 500-gallon water tank with a standard foam system. The ladder will allow the department to serve Cumberland Medical Center and several industries.

Delivery time on new firetrucks is about 11 months and the city should receive the new equipment around September of 2018.  Deputy Chief Chris South said that the new trucks have new and better technology since the 1993-94 trucks and the new trucks with single axles are easier to drive and get where they need to go.

The motion to buy the trucks made by councilman J. H. Graham included writing a check to pay for the trucks and access the savings. Council may look at financing the purchase later on. The motion was unanimously approved.

October council agenda includes firetruck purchases and shooting sports park board appointments.

Crossville City Council holds their regular October meeting Tuesday, October 10 and will consider the purchase of two new fire trucks, one with a 107-foot ladder that fire officials say will reach all current Crossville buildings.

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The council's busy night starts at 5:00 PM with the audit committee meeting followed by a closed executive session at 5:30 PM and the regular council meeting begins at 6 PM in the council chambers at city hall. The only thing allowed in a closed executive session is for an attorney to provide information on lawsuits and council members can ask questions. Council members are not allowed to discuss or deliberate any action during a closed executive session.

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The 2 Fire trucks the department would like to purchase include a pumper truck that would replace a 24-year-old truck that would be traded in for a $12,000 reduction of the cost of the deal. In addition, the proposed ladder truck would replace a 1994 ladder truck with a 75-foot reach. The older ladder truck would be put in reserve as a backup truck to be used as needed.

Council will also consider using a Texas-based cooperative that allows governments across the country access to purchasing through the Texas inter-local cooperation Act similar to the Tennessee state contract purchases. This buyers cooperative that will reduce the price of the fire apparatus by some 10 percent as the cooperative bid contracts almost 2 years ago and the purchase must be completed by the end of the month when the new prices go into effect. Those savings will allow the city to purchase the necessary additional material to fully equip the trucks within the amount saved.

The cost of the two trucks with the cooperative pricing comes to $1,605,172.54 with the addition of $162,047 for equipping the trucks the total cost is $1,779,249.54. The city will pay for the trucks and then finance the purchase over 10 years.

Also on the agenda is the appointment of two members of the Shooting Sports Park board. As part of the agreement for the city to provide land for the project, the board agreed to allow the city to appoint two members to the board. The city will consider the four names the city has received so far and vote on the appointments at the meeting.

The request by the West Cumberland Utility District to purchase water from the city in the future has been under discussion and councilman J. H. Graham will report to the council on the status of those discussions.   

County EMS donates lifesaving equipment to city fire department

The Crossville fire department has received 3 advanced life support cardiac monitors and defibrillators from the Cumberland County EMS.  The equipment, valued at some $75,000 was being retired from the county's EMS when they upgraded the equipment and through the efforts of Dr. Mark Fox the units are being passed along to the Crossville Fire Department.

L-R Dr. Mark Fox, Co. EMS Director Chris Miller,

Crossville Fire Chief Mark Turner and Mayor James Mayberry. 

According to CHief Mike Turner, the units will be used in first responder program.  Two of the units will be put in fire trucks that respond to medical emergencies and one in the car of the assistant fire chief Chris South.

"We hope we never have to use these," said Chief Turner, "but our paramedics will use these in a heart attack or cardiac situation."

Dr. Fox, who serves as medical director for both the County EMS and Crossville Fire Department said that he acted to facilitate the transfer and that EMS director Chris Miller had worked hard to on the transfer.  Said Fox, "This is a perfect example of interlocal government cooperation and it's resulted in this lifesaving equipment to remain in the community."

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Jeremy Mangas recognized as Crossville firefighter of the quarter.

Firefighter/Paramedic Jeremy Mangas was recognized as the Crossville Fire Department (CFD) firefighter of the quarter during the April Crossville city council meeting.

Under the recognition program, firefighters are nominated by their peers then those nominations evaluated by a panel and then presented to the fire chief Mike Turner.

Firefighter Mangas excels in all aspects of the job and has been instrumental in mentoring recruit firefighters. Mangas has a passion for fire prevention and has been invaluable in the smoke detector campaign as well as teaching fire prevention.

In addition to Mangas' work for the Crossville Fire Department, his brother is a policeman and his wife Bethany is a paramedic for the Cumberland County EMS.  Chief Turner described Mangas as "an asset to the fire department and to the county."

Jeremy Mangas, center, was recognized as the CFD firefighter

of the quarter.  L-R are Jeremy's mother, his wife Bethany, Mangas,

Fire Chief Mike Turner and Mayor James Mayberry.

Crossville Flashback:19 Years ago Palace over budget, Fire and Police Department get new Tech.

 After bids on the Palace Theater restoration project came in higher than expected, City Council voted Tuesday night to put the project on hold until they are assured that the project can be completed within the available funds.

Council formally acted to reject all bids received at the January bid opening in which the low bid on the Palace restoration totaled some $300,000 over available funds. Councilman John Dooley said he felt the project was out of control, and made a motion that the project not be started unless a usable facility is possible within the budgeted funds available. According to Mr. Dooley, the definition of a usable facility should include stage equipment, lighting, sound equipment, seat renovation and installation.

City Manager Hugh Walker told council he sat in on the recent meeting of the Mayor’s Palace Committee and said, “The committee is working hard to bring the project in within the amount of money.”

Dooley’s motion passed with five yes votes.

The Crossville Fire Department will soon have a high tech piece of equipment that can help save lives and fight fires. The Karins Iris thermal imager allows a firefighter to find people or fire hot spots in zero visibility using infrared technology. The only drawback to the unit is its high cost, $25,000.

Representing the Noon Rotary Club, Crossville businessman Scott Shanks advised city council that over the last four months, the group had raised $12,500, or half the cost. Shanks asked the council to match Rotary’s donation and approve purchase of the unit for the fire department.

Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr. made a motion for the city take the money from unappropriated fund balance and purchase the equipment. The motion passed unanimously. Following the vote, Councilman Dooley said, “We’ve never had anything like this happen to us before.”

The Crossville Police Department will also soon go high tech with the purchase of a laser speed gun. Council approved the purchase of one laser speed measurement unit for the low bid of $2,994.

Police Chief David Beaty said the laser units are more accurate and can more easily target a specific vehicle by sighting through the device. Beaty added that the unit can also be used to accurately measure long distances for both accident and criminal investigations.

In other action:

* Council approved up to $20,000 for around 6 “Welcome to Crossville” signs. According to sign proponent and Crossville Chronicle Publisher Pauline Sherrer, the signs would allow civic clubs such as Rotary, Lions and Exchange to post their emblems and meeting times at the city limits. Sherrer said, “Sparta and Dayton have very nice welcome signs and it is time for Crossville to step out too.”

Councilman John Dooley moved to approve the proposal and have a budget amendment prepared. The motion passed unanimously.

* Council recognized Laura Swallows as Crossville Elementary’s student of the month. Swallows is the daughter of Dale and Judy Graham Swallows and is in the third grade.

* Council received a gift of two framed posters for display at City Hall from Professional Services Group (PSG) promoting the recycling of biosolids. According to Clark Anis, PSG’s local manager, 900 dry tons of biosolids were recycled last year. The fertilizer was applied to 1000 acres with an equivalent value of $26,000.

* Council appointed Patty Galan to the city’s Personnel Committee. Galan operates Tery Wayne, Inc. a local manufacturing company.

Crossville firefighters honored at city council meeting

For the third year in a row, Patrick South was recognized as the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year for responding to a total of 159 emergencies during 2016.  Patrick is a firefighter Paramedic who started in the fire explorer program at age 14 and became a full fledged volunteer 3 years ago and has earned the award all three of those years for responding to the most emergencies.

Mayor James Mayberry, right, presents Patrick South, 2nd from right

with the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year award for 2016 as

members of South's family look on.

A number of Crossville firefighters were alos recognized for their response to Seiver County during the terrible fires in late November 2016.  According to Fire Chief Mike Turner, a total of 10 firefighters and 4 apparatus traveled to help fight the fires that were described as some of the worst in Tennessee in over 100 years.  Following the presentation of certificates, the men received a standing ovation from the council and the crowd. 

Pictured left-right, Mayor James Mayberry, firefighters Jordan Winningham,

Donald Earhart, Jake DeRossett, Patrick South, Trevor Gibson, 

Lt. Casey Worsham, Capt, Terry Potter, Capt. Tim Johnson and

Deputy Chief Chris South

Happy Independence Day Crossville!

The Crossville Fire Department participates in the downtown July Fourth event on the 

Courthouse Lawn.  Have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July!