All of Jefferson County Fire Departments operate on a volunteer basis. If a fire were to occur at the proposed data center, an important question arises: who will be responsible for funding and providing the highly specialized training required for our firefighters?

Our volunteers are already stretched thin—many are balancing full-time jobs while serving the community, essentially “burning the candle at both ends.”

Multiple ladder, tower, aerial truck operations would be required in the event of a fire, which Jefferson County does not have. A data center fire is not comparable to a traditional structure fire. These facilities require a complex, multi-layered suppression approach, often involving methods that remove heat and displace oxygen rather than relying on water—which, in certain circumstances, can actually intensify electrical or battery-related fires.

Additionally, the presence of hazardous materials—particularly lithium-ion batteries—introduces further risk. These batteries are notoriously difficult to extinguish due to the potential for thermal runaway, creating prolonged, high-intensity fire events that demand advanced equipment and specialized expertise.

While mutual aid agreements are valuable, they are not an all-encompassing solution. If multiple incidents were to occur simultaneously—such as a residential structure fire elsewhere in the county—there simply may not be sufficient trained personnel or resources to respond effectively to both emergencies.

In short, a facility of this scale and technical complexity would not only place significant strain on our local volunteer department, but could also divert critical resources away from the immediate needs of our community and neighboring jurisdictions.