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Jamaica fire chief says state move to make chiefs fire wardens shifts paperwork and reporting burdens to volunteers
Summary
Chief Scott Gordon told the board that a June notice from the Agency of Natural Resources effectively named fire chiefs as fire wardens statewide; he said deputies can be named but the state’s language increases reporting, training and recordkeeping expected of small volunteer departments.
Scott Gordon, chief of the Jamaica Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, told the Select Board that a June 25 notice from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources altered the local appointment process by treating fire chiefs as the town’s fire wardens and changing deputy‑appointment mechanics.
Gordon said the new language requires more reporting, recordkeeping and mandatory training for wardens and deputies, and that volunteers already commit significant unpaid time. "The state's basically volunteering us to volunteer this position," Gordon said, describing the added administrative burden on volunteer chiefs who run businesses and have families.
Gordon said he will formally name deputies (Dominic was discussed as the practical contact for burn permits) and that the department will keep handling permit issuance locally. The town agreed to publish permit contact information on the website with Dominic listed first for convenience.
Board members and staff discussed practical steps for residents to request burn permits and for the department to report fires to the state as required. The board asked staff to place updated contact information on the town website so residents know whom to call for burn permits.
