A Bunnell city commissioner wants to dissolve the fire department to save the city money.

  • Bunnell commissioner proposes dissolving fire department
  • Says firefighters respond to more medical calls than fire calls
  • Commissioners did not vote on proposal Monday

Commissioner Elbert Tucker said firefighters are going to more medical calls than fire calls.

"The city of Bunnell responded to 1,666 emergency calls in which 1,331 were medical calls,” Tucker said.

Tucker says the city isn't qualified to do that with only one EMT and they are spending a lot on fire equipment and engines and the cost benefit is not adding up.

On Monday night the city considered the possibility of turning the volunteer fire department over to Flagler County.

Vice Mayor John Rogers said it costs $120,000 a year to run the run department but he supports keeping it.

"If a traffic crash happens on U.S. 1 and State Road 100, there's men and women right here, right now that will jump in that truck and go," said Rogers.

Rogers said the more than a dozen volunteers put in 7,500 hours the first half of this year and 13,000 last year.

"For $120,000 a year in the budget, it is well worth it," said Rogers.

In the end, the commission did not vote on the issue Monday night. It could come back for a vote in future meeting.