The City of Brookhaven has approved amendments to its ordinances on burning brush, rubbish, trash or garbage.

City Code 22-173 and 22-174 prohibit the burning of “any wood, trash, papers, rubbish or garbage out of doors anywhere in the city.” Exceptions are made for cooking or recreational fires, such as in a firepit, or for approved incinerators.

Code 22-176 states that anyone in violation of the ordinances “shall be fined not less than $5 or more than $500 for each offense, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.”

The newly-approved amendments will update the 2003 laws to give express authority to the Brookhaven Police Department to issue specific citations for these offenses.

Fire Chief Jeff Ainsworth told Mayor Joe Cox and the Board of Aldermen on Tuesday that he had spoken with Municipal Judge Louwlynn Vanzetta Williams and Police Chief Kenneth Collins about his concerns over violators not being held accountable for potentially dangerous fires. With the approval of the Court and the Board, BPD will have new tickets printed to specifically cite individuals or entities for unauthorized or illegal burning.

 

Training facility updates

Brookhaven Fire Department has received three of the containers needed to construct its new training facility.

In December 2023, the City Board of Aldermen approved $72,905 to be used for the new facility which was already in planning. The funds came from savings the City would have from purchasing two fire trucks at one time, rather than each individually. The trucks were purchased through State Contract using Municipal Bond Funds — a 101 King Cobra Tower ladder truck for $1,744,838, and a Class A pumper truck for $796,708.

Once the trucks — which are replacing two 1997 models — are delivered, the department will be back in full compliance with the insurance rating. BFD currently has a Class 5 Public Protection Classification fire rating.

Provided by the Insurance Services Office, the score reflects how prepared a community and area is to fight fires. It mainly focuses on local fire departments and water supply, but also includes emergency communications systems and fire education safety. The highest possible score is a 1 and the lowest is 10. Fire departments count for half of the score. The lower the number (which is also the higher the rating), the more insurance companies will lower premiums on homeowners’ insurance.

The new trucks will maintain the 5 rating, and will help bring the city’s rating down to 4, Ainsworth said, though his goal is to get to a 3 with the completion of the new Fire Training Facility.

The department is next scheduled for its rating evaluation in 2025.

On Tuesday, the City also approved $2,000 to be added to the Fire Equipment account and $2,000 for the Police Equipment account, from a $4,000 Walmart grant.