The Chickaloon Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) went through a significant transition in October 2024. The Chickaloon Community Council (CCC) has taken possession of the department and a dedicated restructuring committee is now actively working to rebuild it under a transparent, community-guided structure.
This page will serve as the community’s central hub for updates on the CVFD restructuring process. We are committed to keeping residents informed every step of the way — whether through meeting notes, announcements, documents, or progress reports. Check back regularly for the latest news.
Want to get involved? Community volunteers are needed and welcome — you do not have to fight fires to contribute. There are many ways to support the CVFD, including fundraising, administration, grant writing, and community relations. Reach out to the CCC to learn more.
Organizational Structure
Parent Organization — Chickaloon Community Council (CCC)
- Owns and manages all fire department assets through CVFD.
- Provides fiscal oversight and approves major financial expenditures.
- Represents community interests through elected council members.
Chickaloon Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD)
- Operates under the CCC’s authority (CCC d.b.a. CVFD).
- Responsible for day-to-day operations, training, emergency response, and routine equipment maintenance.
- Maintains internal policies, volunteer standards, and operational readiness.
Fire Chief & Assistant Fire Chief
- Oversees daily operations and volunteer coordination.
- Manages fire calls and oversees all training, scheduling, and maintenance.
- Reports directly to the CCC with regular monthly updates.
Community Involvement
- Community members vote on major department expenditures (above the council-defined threshold).
- Residents are encouraged to volunteer, attend meetings, assist with fundraising, and provide input.
- Community volunteers do not have to fight fires — support is needed in many other areas.
Transition Plan
The following steps outline the official transition plan approved by the CCC:
- Create New Entity — Create a new company: Chickaloon Community Council D.B.A. Chickaloon Volunteer Fire Department.
- Rename — Officially change the name to Chickaloon Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) in all registrations and records.
- Asset Transfer — Transfer all former Chickaloon Community Volunteer Fire Department and Chickaloon Fire Service assets, vehicles, equipment, and funds legally to the newly created CVFD.
- Create MOU — Draft, review, and approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CCC and CVFD to define roles, authority, and procedures.
- Recruit & Train — Re-engage former volunteers and recruit new members; schedule initial training and certifications.
- Budget — Council and Fire Chief prepare and approve an annual operating budget.
- Public Relaunch — Hold an open house / public meeting announcing the new structure and volunteer opportunities.
Proposed Leadership Framework
The following volunteer positions form the proposed organizational framework for the CVFD. Mandatory positions are the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief. All other positions are filled at the Fire Chief’s discretion.
| Position | Selection | Reports To | Key Duties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Chief | Nominated by CCC; in-house election every 2 years (starting 2028 cycle) | CCC | Oversees all CVFD operations including emergency response, fire prevention, training, daily operations, and monthly reports to CCC. |
| Assistant Fire Chief | Nominated by Fire Chief, elected by CCC | CCC / Fire Chief | Assists Fire Chief in all duties; stands in during Fire Chief’s absence; reports monthly to CCC as needed. |
| Treasurer | CCC Treasurer also serves as CVFD Treasurer | CCC (for repairs over $500) | Oversees financial management, budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance. Maintains financial records and works with CCC for proper oversight. |
| Maintenance Manager | Chosen by Fire Chief, approved by CCC | Fire Chief (CCC for repairs over $500) | Oversees maintenance and repair of all CVFD assets; develops maintenance procedures; completes asset logs and inspections. |
| Training Officer | Chosen by Fire Chief, approved by CCC | Fire Chief | Creates, implements, and oversees training programs; ensures volunteers have required knowledge and skills; ensures state requirements are met. |
| Grant Writer | Chosen by Fire Chief or CCC, approved by CCC (open to community volunteers) | CCC / Fire Chief | Works with Fire Chief and CCC to write grants; finds funding opportunities; drafts polished grant proposals. |
| Community Relations Coordinator | Chosen by Fire Chief or CCC, approved by CCC (open to community volunteers) | CCC / Fire Chief | Develops and implements public relations strategies; organizes fundraisers and public events. All purchases must be approved by CCC. |
* Election of Fire Chief is every 2 years on the same year and month as the 2 CCC Board Member Elections. Policy changes will be by a joint committee recommendation with community input and approved by CCC.
Restructuring Worksheet Document
The full CVFD Organizational Structure and Restructuring Worksheet is available to download and review below: