Lower Burrell considers taking council meetings on the road to highlight fire departments

Two proposed Lower Burrell Council meetings aim to show, and not tell, the needs and operations of the city’s volunteer fire departments.

Mayor Chris Fabry proposed the idea of taking two council meetings “on the road” this summer to the Lower Burrell No. 3 and Kinloch fire departments.

“This would give the fire departments the opportunity to showcase their locations, equipment and needs directly to council and the public,” Fabry said. “It will also give us better insight into what they do with (residents’) contributions and your tax dollars.”

The meetings still would be official council meetings that would follow all normal guidelines and structure, Fabry said, but could have an earlier start time to give departments the opportunity to showcase their facilities, equipment and needs.

Fabry also said that for the Kinloch part of the city, the visiting meeting is a “great opportunity to bring a meeting to a portion of town that often feels overlooked.”

“They are an important part of our city and should feel represented,” he said.

Kinloch fire Chief Ted Hereda agreed that having a visiting council meeting gives council and the public the opportunity to see where that money is going and equipment and personnel needs.

“I think it’s a phenomenal idea,” Hereda said. “It’ll give the residents a chance to come down and see what the fire departments have to offer.”

Lower Burrell No. 3 Chief Brennan Sites agreed.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” he said. “I appreciate council’s continuation of trying to showcase us.”

Sites said the visiting meetings also provide the chance to highlight two big needs volunteer fire departments face: more personnel and funding.

“We’re very fortunate that the community, our neighbors and residents are supportive of us,” Sites said. “But it’s important to highlight what things cost nowadays opposed to what they cost 20 years ago.”

The departments in August asked council to allot an additional $25,000 for each department and a 5% increase in annual funding to combat inflation. Firefighters also asked the city to disburse the annual $30,000 capital fund allocation to the departments, where funds would be used for vehicle payments or purchases.

At that meeting, firefighters discussed upcoming needs and purchases that included upgrades or replacements to engines, facilities, turnout gear or tools.

Lower Burrell’s 2024 budget includes a $105,000 contractual obligation with both departments and $90,000 in additional support from natural gas royalty money from drilling leases under Burrell Lake Park.