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Over the past several months, it has become increasingly clear that our country is facing serious issues with high fuel costs. Locally, it has not only affected every citizen who owns a car, but it has affected every county and city department as well. Everyone in Bradley County is feeling the pinch of ever-rising gasoline costs. It has been especially challenging here at the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office because we have not had an increase to our fuel allowance in three years. In fact, in last year’s budget, the BCSO fuel allowance was actually reduced by almost $3,000. But Bradley County has faced challenges in the past and I am confident we will get through this current high-priced fuel situation. It just takes everyone pulling together to find workable, non-partisan solutions without compromising public safety. With that in mind, I would like to present some of the initiatives we have implemented here at the BCSO, along with some fuel-saving measures that are already in place. The BCSO will utilize low-octane (87) gas in all vehicles not requiring diesel fuel or higher octane as recommended by the manufacturer.
The BCSO will continue its long-standing practice of turning off engines when the vehicle and emergency equipment (such as blue lights and police radio) are not in use.
The BCSO will continue to change air filters regularly, keep tires inflated to the optimum level and perform routine and preventive maintenance on all vehicles to enhance fuel efficiency and save fuel costs. Routine maintenance will go far in reducing gasoline consumption.
The BCSO has already purchased approximately 19 vehicles with six-cylinder engines and will continue to purchase six-cylinder engines when practical for all regular-use vehicles in order to enhance fuel performance and gas mileage.
The BCSO will work to eliminate all high-mileage, less fuel-efficient vehicles from its fleet in favor of newer, more fuel-efficient models that save gas over time and provide an enhanced level of safety to our employees. As far as hybrid vehicles are concerned, at this time they are cost-prohibitive. We will certainly give hybrid cars consideration when the purchase price becomes more competitive with current fleet vehicles, which are available to us on the state contract.
The BCSO has already reduced its usable fleet by 22 vehicles and will continue to maintain only the minimum number of vehicles necessary to meet statutory obligations, emergency response obligations and general public safety needs.
The BCSO will continue to limit take-home vehicles to personnel who reside in Bradley County and are required to respond at times while off-duty to BCSO law enforcement related duties and/or emergencies. Also, take home vehicles are necessary for proper implementation of the Bradley County All-Hazard Emergency Response Plans maintained through the Bradley County Emergency Management Agency as required by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency/Department of Homeland Security. The BCSO will continue to file reports from the field when possible using mobile data transmissions. This saves gas by eliminating the need for deputies to drive to and from the Justice Center to file reports. We will also take citizens’ reports involving minor offenses over the telephone when possible and when the actual presence of a deputy is not requested or required.
The BCSO will continue to utilize employee car pooling when possible to and from required training assignments both in-county and out-of-county.
The BCSO will continue to limit out-of-town travel to statutory responsibilities only, and to obtain the necessary and required training to meet federal, state and local guidelines and professional standards.
The BCSO will encourage the county to install larger fuel storage tank(s) to take advantage of available price reductions when making bulk gasoline purchases. Currently, the fuel storage tank used by the BCSO only has a 3,000-gallon capacity. Larger storage tanks will allow us to negotiate a better price-per-gallon by purchasing in bulk. This will result in substantial savings in the long run.
The BCSO will continue to maintain at least two patrol units assigned to each county zone in order to maintain the current level of services and emergency response times while reducing the mileage distance a deputy is required to travel when answering calls for service. This policy saves gasoline and enhances public safety and deputy safety
The BCSO will maintain the policy of requiring deputies to drive the speed limit unless answering dispatched emergency calls or conducting duties requiring an expedited law enforcement response to enhance officer or public safety.
The BCSO will continue to encourage deputies who are not answering calls or conducting other required statutory obligations and public safety duties to park their vehicles in high visibility and call-for-service areas to help further reduce gasoline consumption.
Keep in mind, I have been able to meet the increased fuel prices and demand within my existing budget through better management of resources and savings from other line items. So far, no additional money has been required from the General Fund this year as we continue to effectively manage our budget.
Again, our goal here at the BCSO remains to provide you with safe streets and neighborhoods while saving you money at the pump. |
