Dennis Wolf, who was to become chief of Lakeland’s first fire department this summer, has challenged a statement made by Mayor Mike Cunningham Feb. 14 about the City’s ability to afford a fire department.
Mr. Wolf is the fire management consultant for MTAS, UT-Municipal Technical Advisory Service, and is widely considered to be an expert on all things regarding fire departments and services in Tennessee.
Lakeland was to start its own fire services July 1, 2019. There is a resolution on tonight’s BOC (Board of Commissioners) meeting (5:30 p.m. March 5th at City Hall) authorizing the rescinding of resolutions and agreements to create the fire department, sponsored by Commissioner Richard Gonzales Jr. Link to resolution: https://www.lakelandtn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8011
In an email yesterday (3.4.19) to the BOC (Board of Commissioners), Mr. Wolf said, “I am sending this to counter a statement that Mayor Cunningham made at the February 14 Commission meeting. The specific statement is that I saw the writing on the wall that Lakeland is not financially ready to afford its own a fire department and that I chose to not retire from MTAS because of that. This is not true.”
Link to video of Feb. 14th BOC meeting with comments made about financing for a fire department and comments from Mayor Cunningham: https://vimeo.com/317418080
Chief Wolf, former Germantown fire chief and emergency management director, said he heard from Mayor Cunningham Nov. 18 that he would not support a Lakeland fire department going forward.
He said he made a decision to stay with MTAS as he was no longer certain Lakeland would proceed with starting a fire department.
Additionally, he said, “I do believe that Lakeland can afford a fire department given the amount of fire fees that Lakeland residents pay currently, as those fees will come to the city. If I did not believe that, I never would have accepted the job offer, as I planned for Lakeland to have a successful fire department.”
Chief Wolf concluded, “Though I am not your fire chief, I am your MTAS fire consultant, and I will do everything I can to support Lakeland’s being successful in whatever decision the commission ultimately makes regarding fire services.
On Nov. 27, Chief Wolf announced he would not move forward as chief of the proposed Lakeland fire department. He said he was returning to his position with MTAS, according to a press release from Shane Horn, Lakeland city manager.
From Vice Mayor Josh Roman:
“Misleading or false statements are at the heart of confusion on many topics in Lakeland.”
From Commissioner Wesley Wright:
“Since MTAS is the state organization where municipalities seek counsel and Chief Wolf is the expert within MTAS on fire services it seems illogical to disregard his knowledge and wisdom and utilize MTAS for other areas of governance. I appreciate his input and should fresh numbers be presented at a BOC meeting by another person I would welcome Chief Wolf to comment on them either at that same meeting or at a later meeting.”
Commissioner Richard Gonzales Jr.:
“Please keep in mind that the fire department budget presented by Chief Wolf was based on the fees that Lakeland homeowners and businesses pay into the Shelby County Fire Department fund. His numbers do not take into consideration the impact on our city that managing and funding a fire department over time will have on Lakeland’s ability to fund other needs. Infrastructure, sports parks and yes, even a high school at some point in time, far exceed the need for a replacing the superior Shelby County Fire Department with a one fire house and one fire engine Lakeland Fire department. When a second fire station is needed, how will this expense be covered in the proposed fire department budget? Finally, we must also consider the proposal to use a portion of our reserve fund balance to pay for the start up expenses associated with forming our own fire department.
I stand behind Mayor Cunningham in this matter and I am not questioning Chief Wolf’s professionalism or experience. He was asked to create a proposal for the implementation of a Lakeland fire department. However, there are so many other financial factors that affect the City of Lakeland and they weren’t taken into consideration in his proposal.”
Mayor Cunningham and Commissioner Michele Dial also were asked to respond to Mr. Wolf’s comments, but have not done so.
Background
The formation of a fire department in Lakeland, breaking from current coverage by the Shelby County Fire Department, was discussed in October 2017, with Mr. Wolf addressing a special BOC meeting and saying Lakeland could have its own station by July 2019.
At a February 2018 BOC meeting, a resolution was passed, authorizing a contract with Shelby County for fire services and an interlocal agreement.
During a September 2018 Town Hall meeting, Jim Atkinson, who was city manager, said fire service fees collected by MLGW generate $2.4 million a year and the estimated costs to operate the department within Lakeland is $1.6 million, with an estimated savings of $800,00 yearly.
