Sunapee's Board of Firewards approved eight new or revised fire department standard operating procedures at its Oct. 22 meeting, while holding three others for additional review.
The board considered 11 procedures in all, according to the meeting agenda. Eight passed. The other three were held back because of potential insurance and liability concerns, according to MeetingWatchNH.
The three procedures requiring further scrutiny cover the Occupational Medical Program, Personal Protective Equipment and Gear, and Personally Owned Vehicle Response. MeetingWatchNH reported that those procedures would be referred to the town administrator, legal counsel and Human Resources before they could be finalized.
The eight approved procedures are an interim measure, pending the arrival of a new full-time fire chief, according to MeetingWatchNH. The specific titles of those eight procedures were not identified in the available report. Meeting minutes had not been posted as of Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Fire chief hiring process continues
The fire chief hiring process was also on the Oct. 22 agenda. The board scheduled an onsite assessment center for Oct. 23 and community group sessions for Oct. 24, according to the agenda.
The department has been operating with interim leadership since former Fire Chief Ted Tillson left the position in March. The town's announcement named Matthew Pollari as acting fire chief effective March 13.
Other agenda items included a 2027 fire department budget update, a department officer's update and a nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3, II(a) for interview preparation. That statute permits nonpublic sessions for certain matters involving the hiring of public employees.
The Oct. 22 meeting took place at the Sunapee Services Building, 23 Edgemont Road.
