Jefferson County applies for $1.5M FEMA firefighter grant; board weighs hydrant gaps and insurance benefits

Jefferson County commissioners approved applying for a $1.5 million FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant to fund two pump/tanker trucks that local volunteer departments say are urgently needed.

The fire chief explained the rationale: aging vehicles in some stations, long response times and limited hydrant coverage in rural areas. "Structure fires we've been having take about 12,000 gallons to put out a house fire," the chief said, and additional tankers on-scene would allow faster initial suppression and water shuttling. The requested equipment would double water-carrying capacity for volunteer responders in affected districts.

The chief said that with designated water-hauler tankers, the county could qualify some areas for a hydrant-equivalency designation and potentially lower property-insurance ratings (an ISO score), which affects insurance premiums in rural areas that lack hydrants. Commissioners discussed that hydrants are owned and operated by Jefferson Community Water, not the county, and considered options such as grant applications or partnership funding to extend mains and install hydrants.

The board made a motion to approve applying for the FEMA grant and to provide the up-to-5% local match (up to $75,000) if the award is received. Commissioners acknowledged that applying does not guarantee funding and that staff will pursue complementary options for hydrant expansion and grant-supported infrastructure work.

The motion passed by voice vote.