RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – The future of fire protection services in Box Elder is drawing public attention as city officials and the Box Elder Volunteer Fire Department offer differing accounts of a proposal that would change how the community’s fire services are managed and funded.
The discussion centers on a preliminary plan for the City of Box Elder to establish its own municipal fire department and provide services within the Box Elder Rural Fire Protection District, potentially replacing the district’s current arrangement with the volunteer department.
In a Facebook post, the city said the discussions began after the Fire Protection District approached officials about ways to improve public safety services as Box Elder’s population and emergency call volume continue to grow…