Still an impasse about how to supervise the Decorah Fire Department

Representatives from the Decorah Fire Department met with representatives from the Decorah City Clerk's Office for one hour Thursday morning, but the two sides were unable to come to an agreement about how to supervise the full-time engineers on the fire department staff.

The question came up with the announcement that one of the three existing fire engineers would be retiring in July.  At first city staff raised the possibility that a replacement might not be hired, but both sides now agree that the fire station should be staffed by engineers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Decorah Fire Department members are proposing the upcoming fire engineer vacancy be turned into a new position: "Decorah Fire Department Superintendent."  The position would handle administrative duties and would communicate with other city departments.  It would not replace the Fire Chief position, which would remain a volunteer position.

City Hall staff, however, are proposing the three fire engineers be supervised by the City Administrator.  Current city ordinances give supervision of the fire department to the Mayor, but the staff recommendation is that giving the responsibility to the City Administrator would provide a more stable system.

Since the two sides could not reach an agreement on Thursday morning, the Decorah City Council will be asked next Monday night to give guidance on the issue.