Public Safety Discussion

Thank you for your anonymous email inquiry. Steve Brown, candidate for mayor, replies as follows.

Fire/EMS and Police will be evaluated like every other department. Those public safety entities are different disciplines and will not be lumped together for evaluation. Some commonalities apply to both, which I will always consider, including response times, training and operational effectiveness, equipment and facilities, community risk reduction, and your ability to manage emergencies effectively. Based on those factors and others, only then can a determination be made on your specific points of inquiry.

Public image of the department is also critical. Peachtree City has had some disappointing image problems in the upper ranks of both departments in the past. If such happens again, I will deal with those issues very quickly.

We relieved the Fire Chief of Fayette County from duty when I became chairman of the Board of Commissioners. We have seen steady improvement ever since.

I always expect the utmost in professionalism and ethical conduct.

Funding & Resources

How will you prioritize funding for public safety in the city/county budget?

Do you support investing in modern equipment, apparatus, and protective gear?

Would you advocate for grants or dedicated funds for training and recruitment? Such as staffing grants equipment grants etc?

Evaluation of personnel and funding is based on the criteria I listed above. The evaluation of personnel is paramount. I do not tolerate employees who do not pull their weight. Poor employee performance can hinder operational effectiveness even if the department has the finest equipment.

Most federal grants come with significant strings. Some municipal departments accept grants for new personnel, only to let them go after the mandatory employment period is met. Fayetteville Fire/EMS has done that in the past. If the grant shows long-term benefit and is financially sustainable, I will certainly consider it.

Policy & Support

How do you view the role of council in supporting public safety versus cutting costs?

Will you commit to consulting with first responders before making policy changes that affect us?

We must provide the highest level of service at the best value for taxpayers. The City Council will determine that ratio. I do not dump taxpayer dollars into ineffective and unproductive departments. I have not seen such an analysis performed in Peachtree City in over two decades. We will do it next year.

I always consult with the command staff and department directors on every annual budget analysis and department performance review.

I have more in-depth experience and knowledge of the inner workings of our Fire/EMS and Police Departments than any current member of the City Council or candidate. Some of the more senior members of your unit will know that I made significant capital improvements while mayor. I also created the public safety pension fund program for Peachtree City.

I have a broader range of experience in public safety than any other elected official currently serving in Fayette County. As county commission chairman, I worked with Sheriff Barry Babb on improving his operations, including financing a top-of-the-line shooting range and training facility. I also built the new jail and created an innovative use of the old jail facility, crafted by a stellar citizen committee. I was the only non-industry, non-fire professional on the LEPC for a decade and very familiar with hazmat practices. I have worked extensively with GEMA, serving on the citizens advisory council. I also understand the FEMA system and worked with them on events in Fayette County when needed. Peachtree City's CERT program was approved on my watch. I have participated in the CALEA process with the Peachtree City Police Department. I was one of the authors of the GA DPH statewide pandemic plan during the George W. Bush administration. The CDC also recruited me to advise on the national pandemic plan crafted by DHS during that same period.

Our public safety departments have an overwhelming advantage with me, as I have extensive knowledge of the operations, needs, and objectives. I look forward to department breakdown sessions to determine our overall effectiveness.

Thank you for the opportunity to share some thoughts.