The Coweta

County Commission will decide in September whether the county needs to

raise the fire tax for residents.

Last week,

the County Commission heard how understaffed the county's fire departments

are.

"We've

got 88 total personnel to man the stations," said Chief Dennis Hammond.

The stations

are staffed 24 hours a day, but only one firefighter is at the station

during an eight-hour shift, he added.

"This

is totally a safety issue for me. We've got ladders that take three people

to operate," said Commissioner Larry DeMoss.

DeMoss and

Commissioner Greg Tarbutton headed up a committee to look at the fire

department and its staffing.

Currently,

the fire tax rate is 2.05 mills. With an increase to 2.5 mill, Hammond

could hire an additional 12-15 firemen.

The county's

staff estimated the increased tax rate would add $17 a year in taxes to

the owner of a $100,000 home.

County administrator

Theron Gay said the county will decide the millage rate in September.