The Roane County Commission unanimously voted last week to relinquish direct control over volunteer fire departments, despite the county providing approximately $71,000 annually in tax dollars to support them. County Attorney Greg Leffew clarified that this creates an “invisible independent contract” between the county and the volunteer fire departments, meaning the county will no longer dictate their operations.

The resolution also aims to absolve the county of liability for incidents involving volunteer fire departments during fire or medical calls. Additionally, the county’s fire committee will be replaced by a volunteer fire liaison committee, which will have no decision-making authority over the departments.