Even with an outside auditor flagging possible fraud in its past books, the Blount County Fire Protection District board is pressing ahead with changes to how it does business. Commissioners have adjusted meeting times, tightened rules of order and opened new staffing pathways while an auditor reviews records tied to a former chief. The moves land as residents and firefighters weigh what it all means for a district funded directly by local memberships.
Christopher Lee Gowan, the CPA hired to perform the FY26 audit, found five credit cards issued in former fire chief Doug McClanahan's name and warned that figures in prior audits may be off because of a missing paper trail, according to reporting in The Daily Times. Gowan told the paper the evidence "appears to be a clear case of fraud."
Appointments And The Leadership Shake-Up
Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell has been filling holes on the fire district commission with interim appointees; county records list Quentin Caldwell and Nick Bright as interim commissioners, according to Blount County meeting records. Those appointments followed a series of resignations and employee complaints that local TV station WVLT has previously reported.
District Operations And Staffing
For now, the department says it remains on duty across multiple stations, with everyday responses continuing while leaders sort out governance and staffing questions. The district lists its main office and station locations on its website at the Blount County Fire Protection District.
Audit Findings And Follow-Up
Board members have discussed redoing audits for fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 and have amended meeting procedures while they sort out staffing oversight. Audit work turned up several credit cards in the former chief's name, each reportedly carrying a $10,000 limit, and the board says it will try to rebuild the paper trail that earlier reviewers relied on, as reported by The Daily Times.
Legal Implications And Community Stakes
The auditor's findings raise the possibility of civil or criminal follow-ups, although officials have not announced any charges or referrals. The Blount County Commission has pledged to review the district and take corrective measures where appropriate, according to WVLT.
For residents, the stakes are straightforward. The fire protection district operates as a membership-funded utility, so gaps in financial controls could affect equipment, training and local subscription rates. The board says it is working to restore trust and will present audit updates at future county meetings. Agendas and minutes are available through the county's online system in the Blount County meeting records.
