Chester committee reviews rewrite of city fire-department ordinance

The City of Chester Public Safety Committee reviewed a proposed rewrite of Article 123 of the city code governing the fire department at its meeting on 2025-10-27, with Fire Commissioner V.P. Shirley presenting details of the replacement ordinance and answering questions from the mayor and council members.

Shirley told the committee the current Article 123 dates from 1956 and still enumerates five volunteer fire companies that no longer operate. He said the city now has "a career, fully staffed 24/7, 365, department with city employees" and that "this article is in need of revision." The proposed rewrite would replace roughly 14 historical subsections with four new sections (proposed 123.01'123.04) that reflect the department's modern organization and responsibilities.

Why it matters: the rewrite would align the codified ordinance with current practice and clarify who has appointment and operational authority. The proposal memorializes that the fire chief is appointed by the mayor with the approval and consent of council, designates the fire chief as the fire marshal and emergency management coordinator, and sets out that the chief will determine department staffing with mayor-and-council approval.

Key points from the discussion

- Historical context and need for change: Shirley summarized the transition from volunteer companies to a…