Brigham City Council approves posting for new assistant fire chief position

The Brigham City Council convened on May 24, 2025, to discuss significant changes within the fire department's organizational structure. The primary focus of the meeting was a proposal to split the current fire chief position into two distinct roles: an assistant chief and a fire marshal. This restructuring aims to enhance operational management and fire prevention efforts within the department.

During the session, officials outlined the rationale behind the proposed changes, emphasizing the need for dedicated leadership in both operational management and fire prevention. The assistant chief would oversee overall department operations, while the fire marshal would manage the fire prevention bureau and related projects. Interviews for the fire marshal position have already been conducted, and a suitable candidate has been identified.

The council was asked for consent to post the assistant chief position immediately, with assurances that this change would not impact the current fiscal year's budget. The mayor's budget, which includes funding for both positions, is still pending council approval later in June.

Concerns were raised regarding the salary for the fire marshal position, which some council members felt was higher than average for similar roles in Utah. City officials clarified that a comprehensive compensation study had been conducted, comparing salaries across 28 Utah cities to ensure competitiveness without exceeding the market rate.

The council expressed general support for the proposal, allowing the posting of the assistant chief position while agreeing to further discussions on salary transparency and competitiveness. The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep the council informed as the hiring process progresses.