Stilwell approves revisions to volunteer fire department ordinance; adds driver-license requirement and duty-to-report clause

The Stilwell City Council adopted Ordinance 435, a comprehensive revision of the city’s volunteer fire department governance documents, and amended the draft on the council floor to add specific driver‑qualification and reporting requirements.

During consideration, councilors discussed insurance and operational concerns related to volunteer drivers. After conversation about whether the ordinance should explicitly require an Oklahoma driver’s license versus a valid out‑of‑state license and how the city would track driving records, the council added language requiring volunteers to hold a valid driver’s license, maintain a clean driving record and to report any loss of license or driving violations. One council speaker framed the addition as a duty of volunteers: “Any loss of license or violation I hear?”

The ordinance also repeals earlier Stilwell ordinances (360, 373 and related sections) to ensure a single consolidated code for volunteer fire‑department governance. Following adoption, the council voted separately to adopt an emergency clause so the revised provisions related to licensure and duties take effect immediately upon passage.

Next steps: city staff were directed to update volunteer applications and the SVFD standard operating procedures to reflect the new requirements and to circulate the revised ordinance text to volunteers and the council.