County leaders and firefighters contest proposed House Bill 547 that would change fire-service governance

Chief Executive Gallagher reported to the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners on March 5 that the county supported House Bill 547 and that he and County Attorney Ann Ruth had testified in Helena as proponents.

Gallagher said the bill—championed by Scott Demaris of Anaconda and intended to revise firefighting laws for consolidated city-county governments—would clarify chain-of-command and improve recordkeeping, training and coordination between paid and volunteer fire services. "It's a positive bill for both the paid fire department and the volunteer fire department because it gives clear distinction of the things that we have problems with," Gallagher said, adding that the legislation would not eliminate volunteer departments but would add "accountability" and define who has authority over what.

Why it matters: the measure would change how fire services are organized and supervised under Montana law for consolidated governments such as Butte-Silver Bow. Gallagher emphasized the county charter's language that "the chief executive shall be the head of the Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department," and said, if passed, he would direct the director of fire services to sit down with volunteer fire chiefs to coordinate budgets, operations and training. Gallagher said the bill responds to longstanding division between paid and volunteer components and aims to make fire operations more transparent and compliant with insurance and workers' compensation requirements.

Discussion and public response: Commissioners heard from a longtime volunteer chief and other residents during the public-comment period. Ed Fisher, who identified himself as a 50-year member of the Boulevard Volunteer Fire Department and a volunteer fire chief, said the volunteer community learned of the bill too late and opposed the change in elected local authority. "Nobody let us know that this bill was being drafted or put through the legislator until 24 hours before it went to hearing," Fisher said, adding that the bill "will eliminate the powers and duties of the district trustees of Silver Bow County that are elected by the people." He urged commissioners to oppose the measure and said volunteers would continue to organize and travel to Helena to express concerns.

County attorney and process details: Gallagher said neither the county nor the county attorney drafted the bill; they were made aware of it and assessed it before testifying. He described the legislation as aimed at restoring the intent of the county charter and improving coordination on budgets, operations, training records and equipment inventories. He also noted the county has a newly formed fire council that includes Commissioner O'Neil and said the director of fire services would coordinate with volunteer chiefs if the bill becomes law.

What was not decided: the council did not take formal action on the bill during the March 5 meeting. Gallagher and County Attorney Ann Ruth provided explanatory remarks and said they had testified as proponents in Helena; several commissioners and members of the public signaled a desire for more local consultation as the bill moves through the Legislature.

Next steps: Gallagher said, if House Bill 547 passes, he will direct the director of fire services to meet with volunteer chiefs to coordinate budgets and operational procedures. Public commenters said they planned to continue attending legislative hearings to oppose provisions that would remove electors' authority over district trustees.