The Spearman City Council recently met to address ongoing concerns surrounding the city’s volunteer fire department, its leadership structure, and the relevance of an ordinance that dates back decades. The discussion comes after several volunteer firefighters resigned last month, intensifying public debate over departmental direction and the qualifications required for leadership roles.
At the center of the controversy is an ordinance that requires the fire chief to live within Hansford County—a requirement Chief Paxton Heckman does not meet. Some residents and former volunteers cited this ordinance in calls for his resignation.
After an hour-and-a-half executive session, the council announced that no leadership changes will be made for now. Mayor Tobe Shields emphasized the importance of a deliberate review process, stating, “This was something that was passionate to everybody in the community, and so we want to make sure that we get this right. Our job is to take all the facts and see what’s best. After the discussion, we felt like that our ordinance that we were looking at needed to be updated a little bit, so we’re going to revisit that and maybe bring it up to the modern deal.”
A Community Searching for Answers
In recent weeks, the resignations have left community members seeking clarity on the department’s future. At the latest meeting, 18 concerned citizens joined city staff and council members to hear updates and express perspectives. Mayor Shields opened the gathering by commending those who attended, saying their presence reflected genuine care for the community.
A spokesman for the current fire department presented a letter of support for Chief Heckman, who has served for six years. According to the department, its roster currently includes 26 volunteers, with Heckman noting that the team remains strong.
Chief Heckman shared that the department has responded to an unusually high number of calls recently. “We’ve had 11 incidents back-to-back in the last 30 days which is extremely unusual,” he said. “Our members have responded in full force taking care of the crashes, our grass fires we have. It’s been an unprecedented turnout with our members and just love to have more.”
He also expressed gratitude for the public show of support from his team. “I’m not an emotional guy, but it was very heartwarming and really good to see that they’re there standing by their guy that they want him to lead,” Heckman said. “Knowing that we’re continuing the positive direction, and that we’re just going to be stellar at the end of the day.”
Two Sides, Each With Concerns
Much of the tension appears to stem from differing internal experiences. While many current members defend the department’s direction, at least one former fireman who left the department voiced concerns about the working environment, saying she felt it had become hostile and suffered from low morale and weak leadership.
A retired fireman and former captain also spoke at the meeting, stressing the seriousness of the work and the importance of commitment. “It is not an easy job,” he said. “This is not a club, and you are not a volunteer of a club such as Lions or Rotary, but rather a member of an organization where you are responsible to save lives and property. Numbers are the key—and so is teamwork, training and dedication to assure public safety. There is a reason our motto is ‘Duty Our Pride.’”
These contrasting perspectives have led many residents to observe that the situation resembles “two tribes”—each with valid concerns but differing interpretations of recent events. Social media appears to have played a role in amplifying tensions. Heckman told the council he was unable to counter online narratives, and others noted that “half-truths and half-stories” were contributing to misunderstandings.
Aging Ordinances Under Review
One area of broad agreement is the need to modernize the fire department’s governing rules. Some of the bylaws and ordinances are as much as 40 years old. While one portion requires firemen to reside in the county, another—unexpectedly—requires them to have a landline phone, a detail that sparked debate and highlighted how outdated some language has become.
A council member pointed out that “Time and technology may have changed, but having the best trained and most dedicated volunteers remain of utmost importance to move forward with long term success.”
Mayor Shields also reminded attendees that the department’s responsibilities extend beyond city limits, saying the city maintains a mutual aid agreement with surrounding communities and counties.
Looking Ahead
Although the council has not set an official date for reviewing the ordinance, members said they plan to meet again soon to begin the revision process. Their goal appears to be balancing legal requirements, operational effectiveness, and community trust—all while supporting a volunteer force responsible for safeguarding the area.
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