Chiefs Say Suburban Fire Departments Are Dangerously Underfunded

Jefferson County’s suburban fire districts—responsible for protecting nearly 187,000 homes and businesses—are tumbling toward a financial crisis that could force sweeping changes in the way the county fights fires.That's the ominous opening of Jessie Halladay's latest piece in the Courier-Journal on the plight of Louisville's suburban fire departments. The article goes on to detail the consequences of underfunding for fire departments and why the money to operate them is so scarce.Halladay has covered suburban fire departments in depth, including examining the divisive issue of whether they should merge. She joined us Friday on Byline to explain the issues facing these responders, and the implications for those in their districts.