By Jason Arndt
Correspondent
Fire Commission officials remain unclear about the new residency requirements contained in Assembly Bill 40 and will continue to have a “wait and see” approach, according to the report given to the Union Grove Village Board Monday night.
The residency requirements indicate that paid on-call firefighters can live up to 25 miles away from the municipality they serve. The rule has already drawn municipal outrage within the City of Milwaukee.
“This is a matter of statewide concern in regards to the law,” Village Trustee Michael Younglove said. “The whole rule should dictate that municipalities should establish their own residency requirements. That is going to be a court challenge.”
Language contained in the bill gives two different mileage figures, 25 miles and 15 miles. Union Grove and Yorkville officials are still working to interpret the new law.
“We do not know what the law requires, it is really confusing right now. Municipalities have not rendered a formal opinion,” Younglove explained.
“Our commission attorneys state the language is very confusing. No courts have given us a clear answer. It is our intent to comply with the law.”
Fire Commission members are not concerned about the present volunteer personnel put in place at the volunteer fire department.
“We don’t anticipate a mass exodus but it will make an impact down the road,” Younglove explained.
“It could force them to get members in the years to come who live farther away.”
The Assembly Bill does not specify the type of municipality or the size and population of each community and may have an impact on rural communities employing volunteers.
“They have firehouses, our firefighters have to come from their home or work to respond,” Younglove explained in comparison between Union Grove and municipalities like the City of Racine.
“If they have to drive 25 miles farther to respond to a burning building it could potentially cause a service problem,” Younglove stated.
“Our Fire Chief told us that if they are forced to do this to allow volunteer firefighters to live within 25 miles of the area, it could have a devastating impact.”
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