Jefferson County Fire Service
Encyclopedia
The Jefferson County Fire Service (abbreviated JCFS and known locally as "County Fire," or, recently "Suburban Fire") is a loose confederation of the 17 independent fire protection districts within Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky
. JCFS formed for the purpose of mutual aid, training, and local standardization.
per se but an umbrella organization coordinating cooperation between the many disparate fire districts within the county that by their proximity must work together efficiently. JCFS does not have a chief or any type of hierarchy and has no binding executive or legislative authority over its membership. Instead it comprises various committees and associations that specialize in areas that affect the fire service in Jefferson County as a whole.
Most of the Jefferson County fire districts wear the Jefferson County Fire distinctive insignia patch on the left shoulder of their uniforms.
's codified set of laws, the Kentucky Revised Statutes
allows for the incorporation of fire protection taxing districts in otherwise unincorporated areas. As the population of Jefferson County grew after the Second World War
small communities began to believe the services of the county fire department were wholly inadequate for their growing needs. These communities secured the votes necessary to establish fire protection districts. The districts levied a tax based on a property owner's total real estate worth and allowed for more money to be available exclusively for fire protection. Eventually 21 separate districts were formed, completely covering all of Jefferson County outside of the Cities of Louisville and Shively. Since it was now unnecessary Jefferson County Fiscal Court disbanded the county fire department completely in 1964.
has no direct control over 18 of the 19 fire departments inside its boundaries, to refer to any fire department in the area as "metro" would be misleading and inaccurate. Although held by some to be pejorative
, the term "Suburban Fire" is used exclusively by Metro Government to refer to Jefferson County Fire Service member districts.
The merger legislation permits the continuing existence of all governmental subdivisions of the county including cities and fire protection districts. It does, however, prohibit the incorporation of new ones. Consequently, and as a result of financial woes, several districts have chosen to dissolve and to be absorbed by neighboring districts. Strict mergers of districts are not possible since a new governmental entity would necessarily be created.
Of the original 21 fire protection districts, so far four have chosen to dissolve. Their tax revenue, areas, personnel, and equipment have been absorbed by neighboring districts. Those former districts had names that are still familiar: Edgewood, South Dixie, Black Mudd, and Dixie Suburban.
.
Although not fire protection districts organized under Chapter 75 of the KRS
the City of Shively Fire Department
and Louisville Division of Fire
often participate with JCFS in training.
is informal and the two organizations do not participate in the unified chain of command when operating together.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. JCFS formed for the purpose of mutual aid, training, and local standardization.
Organization
The JCFS is not a distinct fire departmentFire department
A fire department or fire brigade is a public or private organization that provides fire protection for a certain jurisdiction, which typically is a municipality, county, or fire protection district...
per se but an umbrella organization coordinating cooperation between the many disparate fire districts within the county that by their proximity must work together efficiently. JCFS does not have a chief or any type of hierarchy and has no binding executive or legislative authority over its membership. Instead it comprises various committees and associations that specialize in areas that affect the fire service in Jefferson County as a whole.
Most of the Jefferson County fire districts wear the Jefferson County Fire distinctive insignia patch on the left shoulder of their uniforms.
Specialized teams
Several combined teams exist to provide specialized service to all of Jefferson County and on request from other area agencies. These teams are composed of members of the various member districts; leadership staff is developed from within the teams. Each member operates under the authority of their parent district but all team participants collectively operate together under a unified command system unique to the team.- Jefferson County Hazardous Materials Team (HAZMAT)
- Jefferson County Trench Rescue Team
- Jefferson County Water Rescue Team (www.jcwrt.org)
- Jefferson County High-Angle Rescue Team
- Louisville Metro Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR). A truly "metro" organization, this team includes firefighters from JCFS, Louisville Division of FireLouisville Division of FireThe Louisville Division of Fire, commonly known as Louisville Fire Department or Louisville Fire & Rescue , is the sole fire suppression agency for the former city of Louisville, Kentucky and comprises one of 19 fire departments within Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky.The Louisville Fire...
, and Shively Fire & RescueShively, KentuckyShively is a city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 15,157 at the 2000 census. It is located southwest of Louisville, Kentucky and directly adjoins the larger city. Shively is centered around the junction of US 60 and the Dixie Highway.-History:Shively was first...
as well as personnel from other public safety agencies.
Jefferson County Fire Department
Before 1947 Jefferson County Fiscal Court operated the Jefferson County Fire Department. The department operated three engine companies from three stations equally spread across the unincorporated county land.Fire Taxing Districts
A chapter of KentuckyKentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
's codified set of laws, the Kentucky Revised Statutes
Kentucky Revised Statutes
Kentucky Revised Statutes is the name given to the body of laws which govern the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States. They are created pursuant to the Kentucky Constitution and must conform to the limitations set out in the Constitutions of Kentucky and the United States...
allows for the incorporation of fire protection taxing districts in otherwise unincorporated areas. As the population of Jefferson County grew after the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
small communities began to believe the services of the county fire department were wholly inadequate for their growing needs. These communities secured the votes necessary to establish fire protection districts. The districts levied a tax based on a property owner's total real estate worth and allowed for more money to be available exclusively for fire protection. Eventually 21 separate districts were formed, completely covering all of Jefferson County outside of the Cities of Louisville and Shively. Since it was now unnecessary Jefferson County Fiscal Court disbanded the county fire department completely in 1964.
City–County merger
The 2003 merger of Louisville and Jefferson County governments did little to affect the Jefferson County fire districts. Since the merger other non-official names for JCFS have been coined such as "Louisville Metro Suburban Fire" and the "Suburban Division, Louisville Metro Fire". Since Louisville Metro GovernmentLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
has no direct control over 18 of the 19 fire departments inside its boundaries, to refer to any fire department in the area as "metro" would be misleading and inaccurate. Although held by some to be pejorative
Pejorative
Pejoratives , including name slurs, are words or grammatical forms that connote negativity and express contempt or distaste. A term can be regarded as pejorative in some social groups but not in others, e.g., hacker is a term used for computer criminals as well as quick and clever computer experts...
, the term "Suburban Fire" is used exclusively by Metro Government to refer to Jefferson County Fire Service member districts.
The merger legislation permits the continuing existence of all governmental subdivisions of the county including cities and fire protection districts. It does, however, prohibit the incorporation of new ones. Consequently, and as a result of financial woes, several districts have chosen to dissolve and to be absorbed by neighboring districts. Strict mergers of districts are not possible since a new governmental entity would necessarily be created.
Of the original 21 fire protection districts, so far four have chosen to dissolve. Their tax revenue, areas, personnel, and equipment have been absorbed by neighboring districts. Those former districts had names that are still familiar: Edgewood, South Dixie, Black Mudd, and Dixie Suburban.
Associations
The core of JCFS is made up of several associations representing different aspects of the fire service within Jefferson County.Firefighter's Association
The Jefferson County Firefighters Association serves to advance the interests of the firefighting members of the various districts in matters that pertain to personnel.Chief's Association
The Jefferson County Fire Chiefs Association meets regularly to direct the other organizations in the completion of their respective missions. The Chiefs are the parent association and provide oversight to the Inspectors, Instructors, Firefighters Associations & Special Operations Teams.Instructor's Association
The Jefferson County Fire Instructor's Association helps to pool county-wide resources for training and continuing education. The JCFIA also sponsors and conducts the large annual Jefferson County Fire School.Trustee's Association
The Jefferson County Fire Trustees Association promotes inter-agency cooperation between the various boards of trustees of the districts for matters of constitutionality, legal affairs, and general guidance.Fire Inspector's Association
The Jefferson County Fire Inspector's Association promotes public fire safety education, fire inspectors training and education, and discusses solutions to fire inspections and uniform fire code applications that arise from new technologies.Member fire districts
Member districts of JCFS include all departments within Louisville-Jefferson County organized under Chapter 75 of the Kentucky Revised StatutesKentucky Revised Statutes
Kentucky Revised Statutes is the name given to the body of laws which govern the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States. They are created pursuant to the Kentucky Constitution and must conform to the limitations set out in the Constitutions of Kentucky and the United States...
.
| Jefferson County Fire Protection Districts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | Buechel | Camp Taylor |
| Eastwood | Fairdale | Fern Creek |
| Harrods Creek | Highview | Jeffersontown |
| Lake Dreamland | Lyndon | McMahan |
| Middletown | Okolona | Pleasure Ridge Park |
| St Matthews | Worthington | |
Although not fire protection districts organized under Chapter 75 of the KRS
Kentucky Revised Statutes
Kentucky Revised Statutes is the name given to the body of laws which govern the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States. They are created pursuant to the Kentucky Constitution and must conform to the limitations set out in the Constitutions of Kentucky and the United States...
the City of Shively Fire Department
Shively, Kentucky
Shively is a city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 15,157 at the 2000 census. It is located southwest of Louisville, Kentucky and directly adjoins the larger city. Shively is centered around the junction of US 60 and the Dixie Highway.-History:Shively was first...
and Louisville Division of Fire
Louisville Division of Fire
The Louisville Division of Fire, commonly known as Louisville Fire Department or Louisville Fire & Rescue , is the sole fire suppression agency for the former city of Louisville, Kentucky and comprises one of 19 fire departments within Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky.The Louisville Fire...
often participate with JCFS in training.
Mutual Aid
The primary purpose of JCFS is to coordinate help and cooperation between the fire districts in fire suppression activities. The member district of JCFS have, through the years, integrated their response plans with one another to the extent that the districts de facto operate as one on the fireground. Newly adopted dispatching protocols disregard traditional district boundaries and direct the response of the closest, most appropriate fire equipment to a call for help. It is not uncommon to see fire apparatus from two or more districts on the scene of a routine fire call. Interoperability between the JCFS districts and Louisville Division of FireLouisville Division of Fire
The Louisville Division of Fire, commonly known as Louisville Fire Department or Louisville Fire & Rescue , is the sole fire suppression agency for the former city of Louisville, Kentucky and comprises one of 19 fire departments within Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky.The Louisville Fire...
is informal and the two organizations do not participate in the unified chain of command when operating together.
See also
- LouisvilleScanMan Scanner information site
- Louisville Division of FireLouisville Division of FireThe Louisville Division of Fire, commonly known as Louisville Fire Department or Louisville Fire & Rescue , is the sole fire suppression agency for the former city of Louisville, Kentucky and comprises one of 19 fire departments within Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky.The Louisville Fire...
- Louisville Metro EMSLouisville Metro EMSLouisville Metro Emergency Medical Services is the primary provider of pre-hospital life support and emergency care within Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky. LMEMS is a governmental department, separate from, but equal to, the police and fire services...
- Louisville Metro Police DepartmentLouisville Metro Police DepartmentThe Louisville Metro Police Department began operations on January 6, 2003, as part of the creation of the consolidated city-county government in Louisville, Kentucky. It was formed by the merger of the Jefferson County Police Department and the Louisville Division of Police. The Louisville Metro...