Tunbridge volunteers warn Act 162 could strain volunteer fire services

Town volunteers and officials told the Tunbridge Selectboard on July 3 that recent state changes under Act 162 shift forest fire warden authority to local fire chiefs and add reporting requirements that may overwhelm volunteer departments.

Brenda Field, Simon Bradford and John Durkee explained that on June 24 the State relieved appointed Town Forest Fire Wardens of their duties and designated the chiefs of local fire departments as Forest Fire Wardens effective July 1. They said the State's subsequent guidance added stricter deadlines and reporting obligations and that some systems for compliance were not yet accessible to local volunteers.

Those who had been serving as Town Forest Fire Warden worried that combining the warden and chief roles would increase administrative load, risk volunteer burnout and undercut longstanding local education and permitting practices. As the minutes record, "Over decades, Tunbridge Forest Fire Wardens have been upholding the importance of proper burning and having conversations with people who wish to burn." The speakers said those in the community had often performed site visits to advise safe burning.

Selectboard members and the volunteers emphasized that rural, volunteer-shared departments face particular strain under the change. The minutes note the town had only days'not weeks'of notice before the changes took effect for the coming burning season.

Selectboard Clerk John O'Brien asked staff to work with the volunteers and chiefs to prepare a letter to state officials documenting local concerns and the board agreed to consider that draft on July 14.