I recently attended a Trego, Fortine, Stryker Volunteer Fire Department board meeting. There was a lot discussed, and I thought it would be helpful to share some of the basic information with our community.
This is simply an FYI about what was discussed at the meeting.
One thing that was explained more clearly was how the Fire Service Area, or FSA, and the Volunteer Fire Department work together.
Property owners with homes or other structures inside the Trego, Fortine, Stryker Fire Service Area pay a fee for fire protection. This is a fee for service, rather than a general countywide tax or mill levy.
Those funds go through Lincoln County to the FSA Board. The FSA Board then contracts with the Trego, Fortine, Stryker Volunteer Fire Department to provide structure fire protection.
There are also two different boards involved. There is the county-appointed FSA Board, and there is the Volunteer Fire Department Board. They each have different responsibilities.
A large part of the meeting was about proposed changes to the Volunteer Fire Department bylaws.
The board explained that a bylaw committee has been working on these changes for about six months.
One of the things discussed was how many members need to be present before official business can be conducted. There are around 900 homeowners in the service area, but only a small number of people may attend meetings. The board discussed how to create rules that allow business to get done while still having a workable membership process.
There was also discussion about alternate board positions and whether those positions should remain. There were different opinions on that, so it is still part of the discussion.
Another topic was whether current firefighters should also serve in certain positions on the Volunteer Fire Department Board.
The discussion centered around possible conflicts between being a current firefighter and also serving in a governing position. Insurance was also discussed and how certain decisions could affect insurance coverage or premiums.
It was clarified that this discussion involved current firefighters on this department’s roster. It was not about retired firefighters or someone who may work seasonal fire somewhere else.
I also asked several questions about background checks.
The board said the department does have a background check policy. They explained that background checks are handled through department policy, rather than being written into the bylaws.
The bylaws are meant to set the basic rules for how the organization and board operate. Things like background checks and other day-to-day requirements are handled through separate policies.
I also asked about having a meeting where the public could come in before the new bylaws are finalized.
I think it is important for people in the community to be able to hear what is being proposed, ask questions, share concerns, and give their opinions about changes that affect their local fire service.
We also talked about the fact that getting people to attend meetings can be difficult. That isn’t unique to the fire department. A lot of volunteer organizations in our area struggle with the same thing.
I suggested finding other ways to reach people too, including community surveys and having information available at events like Heritage Days. Sometimes people don’t participate simply because they don’t know something is happening or don’t know that their input is wanted.
The proposed bylaws are still going through the process.
The board said legal feedback would be considered, the bylaws would go back through the committee and board process, and there would eventually be a special membership meeting where members could vote.
The final decision on the proposed bylaws has not been made.
I think that is probably the biggest thing for people to understand right now.
Changes are being discussed. Questions are being asked. There is still a process to go through, and there will be another meeting before anything is finally decided.
Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about how our local fire service is organized. We just know that when something happens, we need our firefighters.
But this is our community fire service, and it is supported by the people who live here. Knowing how it works, what is changing, and when there are opportunities to participate is important.
So that is the FYI from the meeting.
When information about the proposed bylaws and future meetings becomes available, take a few minutes to read it. If there is a public meeting, come if you can. Ask questions if you have them. Share your thoughts if you have something to contribute.
Sometimes being involved in your community really is that simple.
© Amberli Emery
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