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Bennett County names Martin fire chief and emergency manager as designees for wildland-fire mutual aid
Summary
The Bennett County Commission adopted a resolution March 5, 2025, designating Martin Fire Chief Chris O'Brien and the Bennett County emergency manager as joint designees authorized to request wildland fire assistance under SDCL 41-28-11, with limits and chair approval required for expenses beyond no‑cost mutual aid.
Bennett County commissioners on March 5, 2025, approved a resolution updating the county’s official designees who may request wildland fire assistance from the state wildland fire division.
The resolution appoints Martin Fire Chief Chris O’Brien and the Bennett County emergency manager as joint designees for calendar years 2025 and 2026, authorizing them to request up to six personnel and two vehicles from the state wildland fire division at no cost to the county under SDCL 41-28-11. The resolution also states that if additional resources beyond those provided at no cost are needed, the designee must obtain prior approval from the commission chair before obligating county funds.
Commissioners discussed that the county needs a named individual who can rapidly commit resources during a wildland fire where there might not be time to convene a meeting. One commissioner said the county can set an internal spending cap to govern the designee’s authority and that the resolution includes language requiring chair approval before incurring additional county expense. A motion to approve the resolution was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.
The resolution replaces an informal practice that had previously relied on the Martin fire chief alone and clarifies joint authority with the emergency manager for the stated period.
No expenditures were authorized at the meeting beyond the designation itself.
