The Burlington County Board of Freeholders began reorganizing a first responders’ advisory board Wednesday over objections from some fire and emergency services associations who fear the changes could politicize the group.
The resolution approved by the freeholders Wednesday amended the advisory board’s makeup so that it consists of three members from the fire service, three from the emergency medical service and three from police, plus the county Public Safety Director and another representative from the county Department of Public Safety.
The freeholders said the police representatives were added to make the board “more inclusive of all public safety disciplines” and that they wanted to have equal representation.
But the reorganization became controversial, as members of the prior advisory board, and the emergency services groups they represent, claimed they never were consulted about the proposed changes, and that they were denied a copy of the resolution before the vote.