Interim Fire Chief Comments on Fire Department Ordinance Changes

A new ordinance passed by the City of Willow Springs has left many in the community curious about the effect it will have on the current officers in the department when the Mayor and Board of Alderman nominate and approve a new Fire Chief to fill the currently vacant position in the Willow Springs Fire Department. 

 

The new wording of the ordinance removes the process by which department members vote for officers pending Council approval and now reads, “The fire chief shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the majority of the Board of Alderman. The fire chief may be removed from office by the Mayor with the consent of the majority of the Board of Aldermen.”

 

City Administrator Beverly Hicks was quick to point out that the ordinance changes will not remove the fire department members from the decision entirely. She expects the opinions of the department to remain an important part of the selection process. 

“I think anyone who has the qualifications can apply for Fire Chief, but the opinions of the department must be heard,” she said. 

 

The new ordinance also spells out training qualifications the chief must possess, which was more specifically described in fire department training documents, but was previously absent from the city laws. 

“I think this is something that everyone can live with,” Hicks concluded immediately prior to the unanimous vote that passed the ordinance. 

 

Assistant Chief Vance Farmer has been serving as Interim Fire Chief since the departure of former Fire Chief Donald Worley in December. His position will not change until the impending formal appointment of a Chief by the City Council. He is in favor of the changes in the new ordinance. 

“I fully agree with the new ideas pertaining to the qualifications of the chief position,” wrote Farmer in a message to Howell County News, “And I'm also on board with changing the hiring process for the position as well. I think it's a great idea to do away with the departments voting and have it set as an ‘application/ qualification’ process...I feel like these changes might bring on better stability for the future of the department.”

 

Public curiosity about Farmer’s opinion has clearly been piqued.

 

“Several people are asking me how I would feel if I lost my current position to a new person through the application process,” Farmer continued, “I am perfectly fine if someone else with more knowledge and experience moves in the chief position to lead us into the future. I take pride in my work and I do the best I can no matter what level of totem pole I am on. I'm fully confident the City Council and the Administration will be very thorough and effective in choosing who to hire for the position. I'll be just as active in our department then as I am now.”

 

At the February City Council meeting, Hicks said the City plans to meet with the members of the fire department in early March and expects the Council to be able to make a Fire Chief appointment shortly thereafter.