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Fire chief explains state change naming chiefs as fire wardens; town to post burn‑permit contacts
Summary
Jamaica Volunteer Fire & Rescue Chief Scott Gordon told the board a June 25 state notice changed appointment practice for fire wardens and deputies, increasing reporting and training requirements; he will formally name deputies (Dominic) and the town will post permit contact information.
Scott Gordon, Jamaica Volunteer Fire & Rescue chief, briefed the board about a state notice (June 25) indicating that the Agency of Natural Resources has altered how fire warden appointments are handled, effectively naming fire chiefs as wardens and shifting administrative duties and reporting requirements to local departments. Gordon said the new wording appears rushed, requires additional recordkeeping and training, and has prompted petitions and email discussions among chiefs across the region.
He said he will name an experienced department member (Dominic) as deputy to manage burn permits operationally and asked the town to list the correct contact numbers on the municipal website. "They're kind of disconnecting themselves from all of it," Gordon said, adding that the state now expects local departments to perform administrative and reporting tasks. The board agreed staff should post the appropriate burn‑permit contact information so residents know whom to call.
