Cleveland Fire Chief

CLEVELAND, Ga. – During Monday’s Cleveland City Council meeting, Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt reported his department had a very busy month, responding to 86 calls in the city and 35 in the county, including one in which the recently-purchased NARCAN potentially saved the life of a drug overdose patient.

“Firefighters were called to assist White County EMS with an overdose patient,” Pruitt said. “They administered two doses of NARCAN and brought them back around. So, there is definitely a need for it in the city.”

NARCAN is the only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone which is used for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose.

Pruitt added that his firefighters have been trained in the use of NARCAN and his firetrucks are now equipped with it.

Police Chief John Foster reported that his department has been extremely busy. “It’s amazing how many calls we’re having to answer,” he said. “Walmart reported to us the other day that they have had 13-14 instances of shoplifting by the same group of people and we’re working on that now.”

City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an increase in the occupational tax license and the addition of an administration fee at Monday’s meeting. If approved on second reading, the increase would be $15 per employee up to 50 employees and $10 for each employee over 50.

Council also approved renewal of the School Resource Officer (SRO) agreement with the White County School Board. That agreement calls for the school system to pay $50,000 annually for one SRO to be on duty from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. during the 180-day school calendar. Additionally, the Cleveland Police Department can, at the discretion of the Police Chief, provide SRO services outside the scope of this agreement at a rate of $35 per hour.

Council also agreed to provide $300 for the city attorney to attend a city/county attorney seminar sponsored by the Carl Vincent Institute of Government at the University of Georgia in Athens.

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