Council reviews proposed Emerson Volunteer Fire Department bylaw changes, asks for definitions and insurance review

Borough staff on July 14 presented two proposed amendments to the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department bylaws that the council will consider for ratification at its Aug. 4 meeting. The changes would create a new class of membership called a “designated member” and would permit life members younger than 70 to rejoin active firefighting duty after submitting a new application to the department board.

"They're looking for a new class of membership, called the designated member, which would possess specialized skills, experience, or qualifications that would benefit the fire department," municipal staff said while summarizing the department's April 7 request. Staff said designated members would be expected to respond to alarms and attend drills, but would not be eligible to vote on company business, hold elected office, receive clothing allowance, LOSAP benefits, or other privileges determined by the department board.

Council members pressed staff for clarifications about operational scope and liability. The convening official asked whether responding to an alarm and attending drills "doesn't that require some level of fire rescue?" and whether the change would effectively require firefighting certification for any member who enters the fire ground. Staff answered that the proposal appeared to target responses and drills that do not necessarily require interior firefighting training, and recommended the council ask the department to provide a narrower definition of "alarm’’ and a detailed description of duties for the new membership class.

Separately, council members raised the town’s LOSAP (Length of Service Award Program) and insurance questions tied to allowing life members under 70 to return to active status. One council member said legal and insurance implications must be investigated: "There was an insurance issue a few years ago… we have to run that through our coverage, our insurance advisor as to that specific kind of change." Staff agreed to check with the borough’s insurance carrier and the joint insurance fund and to return with clarified language.

Staff indicated the bylaw requests were placed on the workshop calendar and recommended formal ratification be scheduled for the council's Aug. 4 meeting, pending the additional definitions and insurance review.

The council did not take a formal vote on the bylaw changes on July 14; the matter remains a workshop item pending clarified language and legal review.