Pittman Center Community Volunteer Fire Department (PCVFD) will continue providing fire and emergency services without interruption until at least July 1, 2027. This extension delays an earlier deadline of the end of October for finalizing arrangements between the department, Sevier County, and the Town of Pittman Center.
The new deadline marks the latest development in discussions surrounding the volunteer fire department’s continued service. Representatives from Sevier County, the Town of Pittman Center, and the PCVFD have engaged in what Tyler Basler, a representative from Sevier County, described as "productive discussions" over the past several months. These conversations have focused on the operational, financial, and organizational requirements for fire service within the community.
Basler confirmed that while progress has been made, all parties involved agree that additional time is necessary to thoroughly evaluate available options and develop a comprehensive solution. This solution aims to best serve the residents of Pittman Center and the surrounding areas. He reiterated that fire and emergency services would continue uninterrupted as these discussions proceed.
Tammy Watts, Town Administrator for the Town of Pittman Center, expressed appreciation for the cooperation and willingness of all entities to continue these important discussions. Watts affirmed that the town remains open to exploring various solutions and is committed to participating in a manner that supports continued fire protection for the community's residents.
Sevier County Mayor Bryan McCarter echoed these sentiments, highlighting the positive and productive nature of the discussions. Mayor McCarter underscored the partnership between the Town of Pittman Center and the Pittman Center Community Volunteer Fire Department. He stated that the county's priority is ensuring residents consistently receive dependable fire protection and emergency response services, expressing commitment to working through the process to find a long-term solution that benefits the community.
The current discussions follow an announcement made by the Pittman Center Volunteer Fire Department in June, stating its intention to cease operations on October 31. At that time, the department cited critical safety concerns for firefighters as the primary reason for this difficult decision. The June 30 announcement indicated that despite extensive recruitment and retention efforts, current staffing levels consistently fell short of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) safety standards.
In response to these challenges, the Pittman Center VFD had requested a merger between the volunteer department and Sevier County’s fire and rescue squads. Since that request, the three bodies—Sevier County, the Pittman Center VFD board, and the town—have been involved in ongoing discussions to explore possible solutions.
The area served by the Pittman Center VFD is geographically diverse. Approximately 75% of the territory falls within unincorporated county land, with the remaining portion located within the Town of Pittman Center. Despite this geographic distribution, the department's call volume is split nearly evenly, with about 50% of emergency calls originating from town residents and 50% from those residing in the county.
