Bertram fires fire marshal

By Christi Bertelson

Bertram City Fire Marshal Bobby Huffstuttler was terminated by the Bertram City Council in a 4-1 decision during a special called meeting Thursday evening, March 3.

“If we want to take care of the city issues then we need to have a fire marshal that isn’t so busy with other things,” said Bertram City Mayor Dickie Allen.

During the meeting called by Allen, it was determined that the Emergency Service District (ESD) 4 had failed to create a fire code for outside the city limits, which Huffstuttler had previously advised was complete.

On Oct. 13, 2015, the city adopted the International 2012 Fire Code with amendments based upon the knowledge given by Huffstuttler that the ESD had adopted the same code.

Allen stated that while talking to Huffstuttler on Friday, Feb. 26, about enforcing some codes outside the city, “Bobby told me that the ESD 4 had not adopted any kind of fire code properly.”

“That seems to be a problem after it was presented that they did have one and then we find out that there is not one in place,” Allen said.

“He was enforcing that code on businesses and people in the city, but not outside the city,” said Georgina Hernandez, treasurer for the City of Bertram.

Allen said the failure of the ESD Board to successfully approve a fire code was causing unfair competition between the city and outside subdivisions, concerning people building inside or outside the city limits.

“We spend a lot of money for infrastructure to keep water stored inside the city,” Allen said, “I feel like we’re not getting an equal shot if there’s no code and no enforcements outside the city limits.” 

For more, see The Highlander on Friday, March 11.