CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – During the latest County Commission meeting, a resolution was brought forward that looks to fund dozens of operational positions for the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department.

According to Mayor Wes Golden, the resolution asks the County Commission for permission to apply for the Department of Homeland Security’s staffing for adequate fire and emergency response (SAFER) grant.

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“This would help us hire 36 full-time operational positions for the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department to provide sufficient services for meeting the fire needs of our residents outside the City of Clarksville limits,” Golden told Clarksville Now.

If Montgomery County were to receive the grant funding, the cash inflow would run from fiscal year 2025 through fiscal year 2028.

“We are the second fastest-growing county in the state,” Golden said. “A growing population means we have a greater responsibility to provide expanded public service needs. That is what we are working to do.”

Currently, the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department has two full-time employees, according to Fire Chief Ed Baggett. When asked what the funding would mean to his department, Baggett said, “It would mean a whole lot to us to have some paid personnel for coverage, because we are real thin during the week with volunteers having full-time jobs also. It can be hard to have 100% coverage, which we do a good job of it, but I think we’d do much better if we had some paid personnel.”

The County Commission is set to vote on the resolution at their next formal meeting on Monday, May 13.