BLOUNT COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS DEMAND LAST COMMISSIONER’S RESIGNATION
In Blount County, Tennessee, the Blount County Fire Protection District is in turmoil following the sudden resignations of Fire Chief Doug McClanahan and two commissioners, Tom Daffron and Benny Kirby, leaving only Commissioner Gerald Kirby on the board. At a contentious meeting, firefighters confronted Kirby with a letter and a petition signed by nearly all full-time employees expressing no confidence in the department’s leadership, citing an atmosphere of fear, mistrust, operational inefficiency, inadequate equipment, staffing shortages, delayed training and raises, and serious financial mismanagement.
Assistant Chief Butch Campbell accused both the former chief and Kirby of failing to address critical issues, including a state audit that uncovered nearly $6,000 in missing funds from 2023, canceled insurance policies, unpaid bills, and the former chief’s secretive midnight departure. Firefighters highlighted specific grievances, such as being prohibited from calling mutual aid and the administration’s decision not to refund customers who accidentally double-paid fees.
Despite demands for his resignation, Kirby refused, stating he would serve out his term ending in May. The county mayor temporarily reinstated Daffron and appointed former Assistant Chief Jerry Phillips as interim commissioner, with Phillips also named interim fire chief, though many firefighters openly supported Assistant Chief Butch Campbell for the permanent role.
The Blount County Commission is scheduled to discuss the fire district’s ongoing leadership and financial crisis at its November 20 meeting.
