Response Time for Charles City Fire Department Could Increase with Move to More Volunteers

A Floyd County official is urging the City of Charles City to consider keeping at least a pair of full-time positions on staff with the Charles City Fire Department.

Amid budget constraints, the City is weighing options for future department staffing between full-time personnel, a combination of part-timers and volunteers or even possibly all volunteers. 

During Monday’s City Council meeting, Supervisor Roy Schwickerath expressed concerns about increased response times if the department went with just volunteers.

Schwickerath added that finding the right solution might take an “out of the box” approach.

The Charles City Fire Department is also in flux with the recent resignation of former Chief Eric Whipple, who left to  become Emergency Management Coordinator for Cerro Gordo County. Marty Parcher is serving as interim fire chief.

Since Schwickerath address the Council during the public comments section of the meeting, no action could be taken.