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Heated testimony on HB 547 as Butte‑Silver Bow fire governance divides volunteers and officials
Summary
Butte‑Silver Bow leaders and firefighters split over HB 547, a bill intended to clarify chain of command in the consolidated government. Supporters—paid chiefs, county attorney and city executives—said unified command will improve safety and training; rural trustees and volunteer leaders warned it would erode trustee authority and could threaten volunteer districts and pensions.
Representative Scott DeMorse presented House Bill 547 as a targeted change for Butte‑Silver Bow’s unique consolidated government, saying the bill would remove confusing 1979 language and return clarity to which authorities administer fire departments within the consolidated charter. He described the measure as a cleanup to allow the director of fire services to coordinate paid and volunteer departments under a clear chain of command.
Proponents from the Butte‑Silver Bow professional and volunteer leadership framed the bill as a public‑safety measure. Battalion…
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