By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Hill County’s Rural Fire 1 District Board held a special meeting on Friday morning and unanimously approved an agreement that will see the Havre Fire Department continue to provide fire suppression services in the District through June of 2022.
The agreement can be renewed on an annual basis. For either party to terminate the agreement, they must give the other party written notice six months in advance.
The enforcement aspect of the contract states that, “The District shall appoint and maintain an Authorized Official who shall investigate and report any known improvements under construction or other known violation of the Fire Code within the District to the Montana State Fire Marshal for inspection. In the event the Montana State Fire Marshal is unwilling or unable to aid in inspection or enforcement of the Fire Code, the Authorized Official shall follow-up such known improvements or other known violation of the Fire Code for enforcement.”
The Havre City Council will vote on the contract at their October 4th meeting. The enforcement language in the contract must also be approved by the County Commission and State Fire Marshal, according to Rural Fire 1 Chair Steven Jamruszka.
While the contract is being finalized, the Havre Fire Department will continue to serve Rural Fire District 1.
Until an authorized official is appointed by the Board, Hill County DES Coordinator Amanda Frickel and Kremlin Volunteer Fire Chief Kody Peterson will voluntarily handle local enforcement of fire codes.
