Council allows firefighters to serve on First Responders board, excluding president role

The Osakis City Council voted July 14 to permit firefighters to hold a single seat on the volunteer First Responders board while prohibiting fire personnel from serving as the board president.

Council members pulled the item from the consent agenda after a representative of the First Responders group described that the board had been dominated by a small number of long-serving volunteers. The representative said the change aims to broaden participation after three recent recruits expressed interest in serving. Council discussion emphasized a limit to one non‑presidential seat for firefighters so that operational command positions (chief or second in command) would not control board policy.

Councilmember discussion focused on maintaining separation between operational command and board oversight. A motion to allow firefighters to serve on the First Responders board—with the exclusion that they cannot be president—was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. The council did not specify a formal amendment to the city code on the record; the change was recorded as a council-approved direction to adjust board membership practice.

Next steps: the First Responders board will proceed with its nominations and the council noted it will revisit the item if conflicts arise or if staff recommends a formal ordinance amendment.