Fire Dept. and EMS combined at Town Council meeting

In a move that had been anticipated for a number of weeks, the West
Yellowstone Town Council voted last Thursday to combine the town's Fire and Rescue Department and Emergency Medical Services Department into a single unit, designated as the Fire Department. As part of the decision to merge the two departments it was also unanimously agreed that a Director be hired, and the staffing pattern adjusted to reflect the new alignment.

The vote came as the result of a recommendation made by a focus group composed of Fire and EMS personnel (both paid and volunteer), and members of the town government administration.

Other questions, including the hiring requirements and a job description for the Director position, were discussed and then tabled. It was agreed that the original focus group would continue to meet, and bring additional recommendations on these matters to the two regularly scheduled council meetings in February.