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Sigurd council confirms fire leadership, approves EMT reimbursement and discusses certification policy
Summary
Council retained Mike Crane as Sigurd Fire Department chief, appointed Hiram Smith as assistant chief, approved a $104 EMT exam reimbursement and discussed pay policy for certifications and the town’s participation in a state wildland program.
The Sigurd Town Council on Jan. 15 confirmed town fire-department leadership and took several personnel and training-related actions. Councilors voted to retain Mike Crane as the town’s fire chief and to appoint Hiram Smith as assistant fire chief. The council also approved reimbursement of $104 for Antonio Ortiz’s EMT exam and discussed a draft policy to limit the town’s payment to the initial certification exam while leaving retake costs to the participant.
Fire Chief Mike Crane briefed council members on department training plans and certification costs. Councilors and the chief agreed the town will continue supporting initial certification fees for volunteers but asked staff to draft formal policy language on retakes and reimbursement limits for a future meeting.
The council also reviewed a state wildland fire participation program. According to the materials presented, communities that enroll and meet an annual mitigation/preparedness spending threshold may be eligible for cost-sharing with the state for wildfire response and damage. Chief Crane and councilors said the town will keep records of mitigation work—such as roadside weed spraying, canal maintenance and controlled burns—to document eligibility and demonstrate compliance with program requirements.
The council agreed to place a formal policy proposal and related budget language on an upcoming agenda so the body can adopt rules for certification reimbursements and finalize the town’s participation in the wildland readiness program.
In addition to personnel items, the fire department noted training schedules for winter and spring fire schools and the department’s plan to sponsor attendance and hotel costs for volunteers attending state training events.
