DANDRIDGE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Fire departments in Jefferson and Cocke counties are feeling the impact of soaring diesel prices, with local chiefs warning that continued increases could force difficult budget decisions and create challenges for emergency response operations.
says diesel is essential for every emergency call the department handles because every apparatus in the fleet operates on diesel fuel.
“Diesel, for us, is almost like water in the fire truck itself,” Riley said. “We have to have diesel to be able to drive our trucks to the scene.”
According to Riley, diesel fuel is currently averaging about $6.14 per gallon, significantly increasing operating expenses for the department. Fire engines not only consume fuel traveling to emergencies, but also continue burning diesel while crews are on scene.
Fire Trucks Continue Running During Emergencies
Riley explained that fire engines must remain running during fire calls so water pumps and other critical equipment can operate.
“If we’re on a scene of a fire, the trucks have to stay running, and obviously in high idle. In order for the pumps to work on the trucks, you have to have the trucks running,” Riley said.
That means fuel is consumed from the moment crews leave the station until they return and park the apparatus.
The department typically builds a cushion into its annual fuel budget, but Riley says this year’s spike in diesel prices could quickly eat through that reserve.
“Even though we add a little buffer zone in there in the fuel costs, this budget year that we’re dealing with, that buffer zone is probably not going to be enough this time around,” Riley said.
Long-Term Budget Concerns
While Dandridge officials say they are not in crisis mode, they acknowledge that prolonged high fuel costs could eventually require cuts elsewhere.
Riley said the department may have to reevaluate spending priorities if diesel prices remain elevated.
“Long term, if this trend does continue, we’re going to start looking at having to find ways to cut costs in other line items in our budget, whether that be turnout gear, some equipment, the sort of things that we normally wouldn’t have our money allocated for,” he said.
Volunteer Departments Feeling the Pinch
The financial strain is also being felt in neighboring Cocke County.
says rising fuel costs affect not only department budgets but also the ability of volunteers to respond to emergencies.
“It’s how can you ask a volunteer to come out here and come to the station for free with gas that’s $5 a gallon,” Henry said. “You have some really good dedicated members that can do it and some can’t do it.”
Henry noted that volunteer departments often depend heavily on community support and donations, making every fuel expense more significant.
Mutual Aid Calls Add Expense
Parrottsville firefighters frequently assist neighboring communities through mutual aid agreements. Those responses can quickly add up when diesel costs are high.
Henry said a round trip response to Dandridge can consume roughly 20 gallons of diesel fuel.
“So, you know, we’re at $6 a gallon for diesel now. You go out on a call and come back, it’s just going to Dandridge and back, we might have spent 20 gallons of fuel,” Henry said.
The department receives some assistance from local government, but much of its funding comes directly from community donations and fundraising events such as fire suppers.
Officials say those contributions are vital to keeping equipment fueled and emergency services operating.
Watching Fuel Costs Closely
Both departments stress they remain fully operational and are continuing to provide emergency services without interruption. However, chiefs say they are monitoring fuel prices closely and could eventually depend more on neighboring departments if costs continue to escalate.
For now, fire officials are hoping fuel prices stabilize before the financial burden begins affecting other critical areas of their operations.
