The Highlands Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the concept design of Highlands Fire and Rescue’s new fire station to be located just north of downtown on US 64.
And yes, the new fire station has a fire pole.
“Other fire stations that have the poles say they’d take their chances with the pole over running down a flight of steps at three in the morning,” said Chief Ryan Gearhart. “More accidents happen falling down a flight of stairs than sliding down a pole.”
Town Manager Josh Ward initially said, “No, no way,” to the concept of a fire pole, but once he gave it some thought he warmed up to the idea.
“We heard the steps were actually more dangerous than the fire pole at three in the morning,” he said.
Gearhart and Commissioner Eric Pierson gave the board an update on the latest status of the new station.
Features include seven vehicle bays, carcinogen exhaust systems, crew quarters on the second floor, laundry, offices and meeting rooms and even a potential rappelling station both on the inside and outside of the building.
“We think it would be better for training to be able to be out of the elements,” Gearhart said, “Plus, we’d like to try and make a second story window into an outdoor rappelling station.”
Pierson, who attended his last meeting as a commissioner on Thursday said, the details of the new station were approved by the Fire and Rescue staff, the Public Safety Committee and now ultimately the Board of Commissioners to move forward in principle.
“Everything is open to discussion and change,” he said, “But what we have included everyone has approved it in principal.”
In other business, the Town of Highlands received an unmodified opinion during its annual audit during Thursday’s meeting.
Cassie Wilson, an accountant with Martin, Starnes and Associates, provided the Board of Commissioners with an audit report, beginning with the unmodified opinion.
“This is the highest rating you can get and this is as good as it gets,” Wilson said during her presentation.
Wilson thanked the town staff for their cooperation during the preparation of the audit.
• Mayor Patrick Taylor thanked town employee Wade Wilson for his 25 years of service to the town as he plans on retiring at the end of November.
• Public Works Director Lamar Nix explained garbage pickup for the week of Thanksgiving.
“Trash service will be off on Thanksgiving and both routes will run on Friday,” Nix said.
• Eric Pierson served his final meeting as a commissioner on Thursday. Pierson was defeated in the Nov. 6 election, finishing fourth behind incumbents Brian Stiehler, John “Buz” Dotson and newcomer Marc Hehn.
The three winners will be sworn in during the commissioners Dec. 12 meeting.
