Cleveland wasn't called on church fire

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Some city and county elected officials are asking why the Cleveland Fire Department was not called Thursday night to help fight a fire that destroyed the Thompson Springs Church sanctuary.

Bradley County Fire and Rescue, Collegedale's Tri-Community Fire Department, Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department, also in Hamilton County, and West Polk County Fire and Rescue responded to the blaze.

Bradley County Commissioner Jeff Yarber asked Monday why Cleveland, with a station on APD 40 that was closer than the departments called, was not asked to help.

"I'm not taking a swipe at the firefighters. They did a great job," Mr. Yarber said.

Bradley Fire and Rescue leaders were not present at the County Commission, but West Polk County Fire and Rescue Chief Steve Lofty fielded questions.

Mr. Lofty said that, as a chief, he does not commit more than half his resources to a single fire when the outcome is no longer in doubt but units may be tied up for hours. A fire chief, he said, must also think ahead to the next call.

"The first 10 minutes of this fire determined the outcome," Mr. Lofty said.

Two church members thanked firefighters and said they saved the church's newest building.

And some Bradley commissioners questioned the need to question the fire aid call.

"A lot of times people want to ask questions to cast a doubt," said Commissioner Jim Smith.

"I don't think we need to sit up here and play fire chief," said Commissioner Howard Thompson.

Mr. Yarber denied that his questions were politically motivated.

City Council members said at their own meeting later they are puzzled, too.

"I can tell you why we weren't called,"Councilman George Poe said. "They didn't want us."

The county contracts with the city to provide fire service in the urban fringe around the city limits. The city department also is part of the mutual aid pact that includes the other departments called.