JONES COUNTY, Ga. — Jones County Commission held a work session to discuss their EMA Director and Fire Chief.
Don Graham currently wears both hats, but retires soon.
The commission talked about separating their Emergency-Management Department from their volunteer County Fire Department.
They plan to hire part-time fire fighters to provide 24-hour coverage. Currently they have 23 part-time firefighters.
Commissioners said they have set aside $600,000 to hire 14 part-time firefighters - but that should only cost them around $425,000.
They also want to have 3 full-time battalion chiefs to provide 24/7 coverage for the county.
People at the meeting say they were upset because they were told the Fire Chief and EMA Director role would be part-time.
"There's never been a plan to permanently move a full-time position to a part-time position, whether that's a chief, whether that's a deputy chief, or anything else," said Commissioner Sam Kitchens from Jones County.
Several firefighters spoke at the meeting.
They all say they were grateful for this plan because the number of people wanting to volunteer as unpaid firefighters is decreasing.