Local Government
Whether you work in local government or you’re a concerned citizen looking for solutions, the Local Government topic page is designed to be a resource. Learn how decision-makers can best assess the level of emergency response capability their communities need, find creative solutions to funding and staffing shortfalls, and more.
The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents.
Webster Groves and its union firefighters have settled a long-running dispute over staffing requirements and OT costs
More than 25 complaints were lodged against the building last month alone, per city records
The mayor said the restructuring of the town’s public safety operations is the rationale behind the change
Don’t assume residents know what your department does; spell it out and explain how additional funding would positively impact community members
Government officials hear testimonies about challenges involving recruitment, cancer, mental health, EVs, climate change and beyond
Transparent communication between city managers and fire chiefs is essential for building a strong partnership and ensuring the city’s overall wellbeing
“A two-man response to a structure fire is not only well below any recognized standard, it is outright dangerous,” the Dover fire union said in a statement
Preparation and early warning are critical, but there’s no guarantee we can match Mother Nature’s forces
Lewiston city council members promised to seek an alternative to the upgrade that was supposed to improve response times and firefighters’ working conditions
“In other words, this current board might decide to reorganize the county fire department... take it out of existence,” a Vance County commissioner said
The law applies to those who got sick with the virus from March 9, 2020, through June 30, 2021 and assumes they contracted it because of work
As chief, Troy Cailler hired Sabattus’ first full-time firefighters, used grants to buy new equipment and secured funds for a new station
Firefighters said they have been threatened with pipes and broken mops, hit with rocks and physically obstructed from administering care or responding to a fire
The new National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) will replace the legacy National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)
The union filed an unfair labor practices charge, claiming that West Chester “unilaterally changed the terms and conditions of employment”
Larry Whithorn said West Covina fired him in 2019 due to age bias and retaliation for reporting a hostile work environment caused by harassment
The mix-up sparked a debate on best practices for responding to 911 calls when the address is in question
Former Manhattan Beach Chief Robert Espinosa has returned to work at the El Segundo Fire Department
As “special firefighters,” Quincy retirees would be exempt from laws pertaining to pensions and civil service appointment procedures
“We’re still having issues with the administration on calculations,” said Gary Firefighters Union 359 President Larry Tillman II
Lt. Samod Rankins said he is “happy to be back,” but also is continuing his suit against New Haven
The state could add retirement benefits, eligibility for state employee health insurance, tax benefits and training incentives
The Westwood fire union has been without a contract for more than 660 days — the longest such battle in the Boston area
Decades of deadly fires spurred federal action, culminating in the iconic 1973 publication that remains relevant to the fire service today
Michael Washington claims he was not given prior notice of his firing or an opportunity to respond to any complaints
The robotics team had been training downtown and responded about 15 minutes after the first distress call, said Commissioner Laura Kavanagh
Melbourne Firefighter Aaron Starkey also alleged that after he brought the image to the union’s attention, he was confronted by the accused chief
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