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A dispute over fire dept. control leads to 7 Glenwood firefighter resignations

News

February 6th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Seven members of the Glenwood Fire and Rescue Department resigned Tuesday after a dispute over how the department is run, though the chief says the department still has enough members to fulfill its duties. According to the Daily NonPareil,  the resignations occurred following a meeting on Monday of the Glenwood Fire Association. Fire Chief Butch Fidler told the paper that the Association’s members, who are volunteers, were upset with how city administration chose the department’s leadership.

Fidler said two-years ago, the city passed an ordinance to be able to appoint a fire chief instead of having a vote for one. The mass departure of staff was the result of an issue over the department’s self-governance, according to Fidler, who oversees the operations of the emergency management services. He said the members who resigned were trying to create a position to oversee that and exclude him.

After the resignations, there are 12 volunteers in the department. However, Fidler has already received three applications from individuals interested in joining the department. Glenwood provides mutual aid to Pacific Junction, Silver City, Malvern and Lewis Township. Fidler said despite the resignations, the department is operating normally.