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

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…