[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6145741,"mediaKeyId","5531152-22e493ace417aa07392bb8dfc644073f","parentId",5531152,"title","Butte-Silver Bow safety coordinator warns charter language creates oversight gap for volunteer fire departments","audioSeconds",6044,"startMs",842000,"endMs",6886000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5531152-22e493ace417aa07392bb8dfc644073f&start=842&end=6886","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5531152-22e493ace417aa07392bb8dfc644073f/thumbnail_842000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6145741/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Butte-Silver-Bow-safety-coordinator-warns-charter-language-creates-oversight-gap-for-volunteer-fire-departments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145741-40ccb4fcb873b8beada8ad5d196e6d51/orig.mp4?Expires=1775359732&Signature=ll5VqezvyWAzl-ucygjR3WpO21WMHp2pV0KC1ZbwV4iq1ea~Tbq76JFCsuYsOx5XPYyQC7RDcH~Hn0QTlHskLCjX--W-P4u-o0x81lnaXZP3xPgth~-MI30-L2pneLAJMN4sQbt41nSNjr4v9AWKdcUETw2Evazl21RnfdV8Gqwb26WNSe6fiCVnZcE5ltIJLBKgmRAS6~dAKeC7RL7IhvjbVPhd7mPXgNvtncdA8I3fYzeMs1O9-TlXHb7Zwl1FxjqKhj5lmik8ngh4oc9JU6fj-wBZTRM6KfpWpiufn4tJrKJ~nrpbTY5mYBj2ObzmnGoRd0-35KjYvzCE3XVdvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Butte-Silver Bow, MT","date","2025-08-05T11:20:41.5Z","article","Butte-Silver Bow — James Ouellette, the county’s safety and health coordinator, told the Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission on Aug. 4 that the charter and local ordinance language creating a single fire department that includes both paid and volunteer divisions has created a legal and safety oversight gap that exposes firefighters and the county to risk.

Ouellette, who also serves as the county ADA coordinator, said Montana Department of Labor compliance inspectors began scheduling visits to volunteer stations in January and that the county must clarify who has authority to set and enforce safety standards for departments listed in the ordinance as one Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department. “There shall be a fire department,” Ouellette said, quoting the charter language, and added that when the county assumes responsibility for facilities, apparatus and workers’ compensation it must also have the authority to enforce safety controls.

Why it matters: Ouellette argued the uncertainty affects firefighter safety, county liability and workers’ compensation premiums. He cited national and state safety standards and case analyses that conclude many line-of-duty deaths and injuries are preventable with consistent policies, training and administrative controls.

Most important facts: Ouellette walked the commission through risk-management concepts — the Swiss-cheese model and the hierarchy of controls — and reviewed firefighter injury and fatality statistics from national sources. He told commissioners the county provides personal protective equipment (PPE) and pays workers’ compensation but, in his view, lacks consistent authority to require fit testing, training, maintenance and other administrative controls for volunteers who operate under county apparatus and badges.

Ouellette repeatedly emphasized administrative controls: clear chain of command, job hazard analyses, medical evaluations and respirator fit testing. He said those items are prerequisites before issuing or relying on PPE such as self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). He described a recent Department of Labor compliance inspection schedule for nine volunteer districts that prompted his review.

Commissioners and insurers on coverage: Representatives from Marsh McLennan Agency and the Montana State Fund attended and confirmed volunteers can be covered. Rody Holman of Marsh McLennan said the city–county workers’ compensation policy “does possess a volunteer endorsement,” and that “volunteers are covered under that policy.” Sarah Rupp, an underwriter with Montana State Fund, said volunteer departments in other counties commonly carry their own policies but that coverage is available and underwriting takes safety records into account.

Legal context and competing views: Commissioners raised a long-standing legal question about charter language and state law. Commissioner Mary McCormack noted that the local charter dates to 1977 and said a 1979 state law preserved certain volunteer-district rights: “We passed the charter in 1977… In 1979, a state law was passed … and that is the law that is still in effect today,” she said, pointing to the conflict between charter language and later state statutes. Ouellette and several commissioners said the commission should ask the county attorney for a formal legal opinion.

Costs and scope: Ouellette outlined the scale of local firefighting resources as part of his risk overview: the county lists 12 fire stations, two career stations and nine volunteer stations with more than 170 firefighters overall. He said addressing compliance and PPE needs carries real expenses and that the county must consider funding and possible tax or budgeting changes if it formalizes oversight of volunteer units.

What was not decided: The commission did not take formal action during the presentation. Commissioners asked for more legal analysis, and Ouellette said he would continue coordinating with the county attorney and the state Department of Labor. State inspectors have paused some follow-up work while the parties discuss jurisdiction and remediation, he said, but he added there was no fixed deadline from inspectors.

Context and next steps: Ouellette asked the commission to decide whether volunteers should remain within the single department structure established in the charter and ordinance, and he urged clearer lines of authority if the county is to continue providing apparatus, facilities and insurance. Commissioners said they will seek legal input, hear from Anaconda-Deer Lodge County as a comparator and gather public feedback in upcoming open houses before making a recommendation to voters.

Ending: The presentation prompted sustained questioning from commissioners, county insurance representatives and state fund staff. No vote or ordinance change was proposed at the meeting; the study commission flagged the issue for further legal review and public discussion as part of its ongoing charter review process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 4, 2025 - Bi-Weekly Government Study Commission","oneSentenceSummary","Butte-Silver Bow — James Ouellette, the county’s safety and health coordinator, told the Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission on Aug. 4 that the charter and local ordinance language creating a single fire department that includes both paid and volunteer divisions has created a legal and safety oversight gap that exposes firefighters and the county to risk.","taxTitle","Silver Bow County, Montana","taxId",29956,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":44,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145731,"Study commission holds approval of July minutes after members request fuller record of July 28 outreach discussion",537,305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5531152-22e493ace417aa07392bb8dfc644073f&start=305&end=842","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5531152-22e493ace417aa07392bb8dfc644073f/thumbnail_305000.jpg","/articles/6145731/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Study-commission-holds-approval-of-July-minutes-after-members-request-fuller-record-of-July-28-outreach-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145731-75acd514fe3a13097e66b445646b6869/orig.mp4?Expires=1775359733&Signature=atbK6vdxwhpClnVNSp3CptKUvXh4s0-5aUJrfS7WRP-esMuDrx51aAnHXXU5ee8Ku2HY3uh7sYVzGyhZ14dqiSd~2dCz15n2GWzxmP17ib4l9GfZYjCMBnTgfP1Xvd~VQWPQRzL~mH2WRwN9TNuOpg7Z6G6V12Nb4VBO3pUQVqG8y9wRV3MnzGVC-lpH8gdJYqNbJiQJ8lWhHLsRNBFtFEBu~KzVCNQ2YVZIU1emGLFukJPf4-sN9RpVIe~EZ3RZ7kGKd1XRdOnCy9-hBrEvNxQ6inUL2LZJxo~BPZhiEMAC1SLGfpCafWQS6zpvN8Der8oVGV0IBaezdrqOwtLNew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte-Silver Bow — The Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission voted on Aug. 4 to hold the July 14 and July 28 meeting minutes in abeyance until staff prepares amended minutes that better reflect substantive discussion, including an extended July 28 conversation about the public-outreach plan.

Lede: Study Commission member Mary McCormack urged more detailed minutes after members said a roughly one-hour discussion of public outreach was summarized in only a paragraph. Commissioners agreed to delay approval so staff can incorporate agreed clarifications and decisions.

Why it matters: Commissioners said minutes should show substantive decisions and agreements — even when no formal motion is required — so the public record clearly reflects what commissioners discussed and what, if any, directions were given to staff.

Key points: McCormack told the commission she believes minutes should capture agreements such as the decision that commissioners would not staff tables at an open house but instead mingle with residents to answer questions; that survey questions should be general; and that the survey should ask how fire services should be structured. Staff said they would use the meeting transcript to prepare a revised draft.

Votes and motion: Matt Stepin moved to approve the minutes as amended; Cindy Perdue Dolan proposed a substitute motion to hold both the July 14 and July 28 minutes in abeyance until the revised drafts are available. The commission voted in favor of holding the minutes in abeyance; no opposing votes were recorded.

Clarifications: Commissioners also agreed the July 14 entry should note that no meeting was held on that date and that a short public notice — e.g., “07/14/2025 — no meeting was held” — will be posted so the public understands why minutes are not available for that date.

Ending: Staff said it will produce revised minutes drawn from the transcript and circulate them for commission review before the next meeting.","Commissioners voted to hold both the July 14 and July 28 minutes in abeyance so staff can incorporate amendments describing substantive decisions from a lengthy public-outreach discussion on July 28; the commission also directed staff to post a brief public note that no meeting was held on July 14.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145736,"Study commission schedules five open houses and readies community survey on charter questions",1102,3763000,4865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5531152-22e493ace417aa07392bb8dfc644073f&start=3763&end=4865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5531152-22e493ace417aa07392bb8dfc644073f/thumbnail_3763000.jpg","/articles/6145736/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Study-commission-schedules-five-open-houses-and-readies-community-survey-on-charter-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145736-737ca68df71d12bcd38c459ba4525b40/orig.mp4?Expires=1775359733&Signature=lIYY05u8l7VcSQXenj9jFso-3-mO903La63XXAq2EnYe9TKwICnVFUb5268QIeSnlbmvn2VSAizXV5e4uq2l6YLKXzKaLQfNGzOozhhdF8ZpRhVxDYq1ZIdBoNoXKAwageV3lzRj26oLrnyWX6IF3XgIPhXzBXKSVEVjAADx~JvPTS2SSc4GtqMawWsRnp8WVmVhbu3M0oRnBPY7fXsvvggAgguSX-EJ8oe2ecGlGhDbyFrgODNg1ET1kAwPChr2GI6ZfUP559IYe~koV60cmt25ZdQ0E9zufTnJmSX1xWXfXZERIfMsPuHpJHjscTmFc-jTEFAtYmp-vZBrq1LuGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte-Silver Bow — The Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission scheduled five public open houses and a community survey as part of its charter review process, the commission reported at its Aug. 4 meeting.

Commission staff member Shanna Adams told the commission the sessions are planned for August and September and staff is preparing boards, handouts and a survey link. The sessions are intended to collect public preferences and local knowledge to inform the study commission’s recommendations to voters.

Why it matters: The study commission must provide the public with clear options and evidence before voters decide whether to amend the charter. Public outreach is the primary method the commission has chosen to collect community input.

What was scheduled: Adams listed five confirmed open houses: Melrose (Tuesday, Aug. 12), Butte Brewing (Thursday, Aug. 14), Butte Emergency Operations Center (Thursday, Aug. 28), Montana Tech Student Union (Thursday, Sept. 11, noon–1:30 p.m.) and Ramsey School (Tuesday, Sept. 16). Adams said printed flyers are going up, KBOW radio will run ads, and the Montana Standard will carry notices.

Survey and timeline: Adams said the survey would “soft launch” later the week after the meeting and be fully available by the scheduled open houses; commissioners will get test links beforehand and staff will provide paper or tablet access at open-house locations. Commissioners discussed an October 1 tentative closing date for the survey so staff would have time to analyze responses for the commission’s draft report; staff did not set a final close date at the meeting and suggested keeping the closing flexible if public participation is lower than expected.

Question design and neutrality: Commissioners and staff debated how to frame survey questions about fire services without leading respondents. Several commissioners recommended open-ended questions and non-leading rating items rather than yes/no formats that would bias results. Adams said she will resend a revised draft of the survey questions and the display boards to commissioners for comment.

Next steps: Staff will finalize boards and handouts, confirm ad placements, and arrange tablets and in-person assistance to collect survey responses at the open houses. Commissioners volunteered to staff some sessions; staff will follow up on availability and finalize a schedule. The commission also plans a public hearing at the end of September that will be advertised according to legal notice requirements.

Ending: The outreach plan gives the public several options to weigh in on the study commission’s work; staff will provide revised materials and a survey link for commissioners to review before the sessions.","The Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission set five open-house dates and plans a community survey to gather public input on charter topics including fire service structure; the survey will \"soft launch\" the week after the meeting and be available at open houses and online.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Butte-Silver Bow safety coordinator warns charter language creates oversight gap for volunteer fire departments

Study commission holds approval of July minutes after members request fuller record of July 28 outreach discussion

Study commission schedules five open houses and readies community survey on charter questions