[glewis80SC]

The difficulty with the volunteer area is the level of care and that dreaded response time. In a large residential community like yours most people probably commute out to work so having the staff of volunteers ready to respond would be tough. Unless those on call for that day are required to stay within a certain mileage area from the city, but I dont know many people willing to make that commitment.
Handing administration to city hall might work, yet again the fire admin. knows the ins and outs where the city staff would not.
I know many communities have chosen to go with their respective county for fire service, but it is not always cheaper for the tax payer. For many cities that all ready have the FD infrastructure in place the cost to change to the counties ways in not always cost effective.
There will be a time when when both stations are out and another response comes in, not everyday but it happens more often then not, and the delay would be lengthy, and waiting 10-15 minutes for us to get there when a family member is really ill or whatever it may be that is a long time.