Task Force Set up to Ensure Fire Protection for Spearfish

SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — The Spearfish City Council has authorized Mayor Dana Boke to set up a task force to discuss future fire protection in the city.

The volunteer fire department in Spearfish announced late last month that it's dissolving after 134 years of service to the Black Hills community. Officials cited a lack of support and low morale. The nonprofit will dissolve by the end of January.

The Black Hills Pioneer reports (http://bit.ly/1Kq9b0a ) that the task force will include some past and present members of the volunteer fire department, along with other city and Lawrence County officials. Police Chief Pat Rotert will be chairman.

Boke says the task force will look at how other cities in the state handle fire protection, and "will move quite quickly" to develop a plan for Spearfish.

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