New proposal would allow full-time Decorah Fire Department employee to work the scene of fire calls

Under current City of Decorah rules, full-time Decorah fire engineer Zach Kerndt is not allowed to be a volunteer to respond to fire calls. The rule was put in place by City Administrator Chad Bird, who cited insurance and workers compensation issues as the reason for the rule.

The Public Safety Committee of the Decorah City Council discussed the issue Tuesday and may have come up with a workable compromise.  The suggestion would allow Kerndt to respond to fire calls, but to work operating the fire trucks or other duties which didn't place him directly fighting a fire.

Committee member Ross Hadley called that idea a good compromise. Members of the fire department say they currently have 30 firefighters when 35 would be considered full staff, so it's important to have enough firefighters on the scene of a call.