By Rupert Howell

City of Batesville elected officials spent several hours Tuesday morning determining duties and qualifications for a full-time fire chief  and agreed to advertise for the position, beginning in today’s issue of The Panolian.

Applications with resumes are being accepted at the Office of the City Clerk between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., beginning today until Friday, August 29 for a Fire Chief for the Batesville Fire Department the ad reads.

Mayor Jerry Autrey said he would like to have the position filled by October 1.

The board of mayor and aldermen also agreed to advertise the open position nationally through the internet.

Aldermen used the City of Olive Branch’s template for responsibilities for a full-time chief but edited it heavily as that city’s chief also serves as emergency management director and ambulance service director.

Batesville has used a part-time chief for several years. Formerly an all volunteer department, their chief was elected by the volunteers. 

Tim Taylor is current fire chief and is expected to apply for the full-time position. The department has expanded from volunteer and part-time to full time with improving rating classifications during his tenure. Required improvements to the department have been maintained and the city has recently purchased two new pumpers, one with assistance from Panola County. 

In recent years, city officials have moved to full-time firefighters to upgrade the insurance fire rating with many of the former volunteers designated as part-time employees of the city.