Spearfish Task Force Unveils Firefighting Recommendations

SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — A task force set up to discuss the future of fire protection in Spearfish is recommending a city department with three full-time paid positions and a volunteer staff.

The city's nonprofit all-volunteer fire department is dissolving by the end of January after 134 years of service, citing a lack of support and low morale.

The City Council authorized Mayor Dana Boke to set up the 10-person task force. The Black Hills Pioneer reports the group presented its recommendations this week.

They include paying a fire chief and two support staff, with volunteers as the department's foundation. The task force said the model is in line with what similar South Dakota cities are doing and accepted industry practices.

The City Council must approve. That could happen as early as January.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.