Martin Kidston

(Missoula Current) A policy change sought by the Missoula Fire Department will require its crew members to live within 60 road miles of a fixed fire station – a change that could boost the department's recruiting pool.

The change will bring the department in line with similar policies adopted by the Missoula Police Department.

“The current ordinance talks about a 45-minute travel time. But that has a lot of fire-chief discretion built into that,” said Missoula Fire Chief Lonnie Rash. “The change is a 60 road-mile distance to a fire station, a fixed location. There's less fire-chief discretion. Our members know exactly where they can and cannot live.”

City Council last summer amended city code to allow police officers to live further outside city limits. That change was

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