It's being called a cooperative effort. Libertytown Volunteer Fire Department member Chip Jewell has drafted a proposal to create a countywide fire director as opposed to a chief. "A chief is generally viewed at as a more operational position as opposed to a director who is more administrative," said Jewell.

 Jewell says his proposal also includes a fire and rescue board rather than an advisory council. He says the panel would function as a sounding board for career and volunteer fire fighters to comment on proposals from the department of fire and rescue services that are countywide in nature.

"It really does make it a more formal, hopefully more efficient, and operational that has both public input, career input and volunteer input on a regular scheduled basis," continued Jewell.

The proposal was approved by the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association last week. The county commissioners will be holding another hearing on January 8th on proposed changes to the local fire and rescue service.....which could include the creation of a countywide fire chief.