WEIRTON — Following months of debate, Weirton Council agreed, Monday, to move forward with a proposal which would hire six additional firefighters for the city and reopen the County Road Fire Station.

Council unanimously, and without debate, approved a resolution “authorizing the hiring of six (6) additional firefighters, the reopening and operation of the County Road Fire Station, and providing for current and future budgetary authorizations related thereto.”

The resolution notes “increased staffing levels is expected to positively impact response times, scene safety, firefighter fatigue, and the City’s ability to provide emergency services,” and “The reopening of the County Road Fire Station is expected to improve emergency response coverage, reduce response times, and enhance firefighters and public safety within the City.”

Officials previously noted, once reopened, firefighters stationed at County Road would respond to the areas of Weircrest, Harris Hills, Kings Creek Bowl, Owings Addition, Terrace Heights, portions of Weir Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue up to North 15th Street, as well as providing fire protection for Form Energy, Bidell Gas Compression, and much of the Cleveland Cliffs and Frontier Group properties.

The staffing measure is expected to be funded through an increase in the city’s Municipal Service Fee, the first reading of which also was approved Monday. The resolution, though, does authorize the expenditure of funds from the current fiscal year – on a prorated basis – to begin hiring the six firefighters, with the fee increase to support the staffing in future fiscal years.

Later in the meeting, Fire Chief Kevin Himmelrick offered his appreciation, noting growth of the department has been a goal of his for several years.

“I thank council and the administration for the steps we’re taking,” he said. “I’ve been trying for years to get fire service equal in the community.”

Himmelrick has explained increasing staffing, providing improved coverage and service will assist in improving the city’s Insurance Services Office ratings, which could improve fire insurance rates for residents and businesses.

Himmelrick noted another step will be to update the department’s fleet, explaining several of their trucks are aging out of their useful lives and will need replaced – something he noted can cost anywhere from $1.4 million for an engine to $2.3 million for a large ladder truck.

Monday’s resolution was sponsored by Councilmembers Tim Connell, Rick Stead, Brittany Holloway, and Anthony Rocchio.

Council had tabled a previous version of the resolution in January.

While both versions appeared on Monday’s agenda, council only acted on the updated version under “New Business,” with Mayor Dean Harris indicating the original resolution would remain tabled.

“We’ll keep that on the table without debate,” he said.

Under Robert’s Rules of Order, if an item is tabled and not taken back up by the end of the following meeting, it automatically dies.