WOODSTOCK – Selectmen on Tuesday agreed to support fire department efforts to update policies and create an ordinance governing its operations. It will be presented at the annual town meeting in March.

Firefighter and emergency services consultant Tom Hartford said the last time anything had been done regarding bylaws for the department was in 1975. The department’s old constitution and bylaws are null and void, he said.

Hartford said a committee will review the issue. Members are firefighters David Bobbe, Chris Hoyt, Bryan Strickland and Hartford.

“It is our goal to bring all department documentation up to date,” said Hartford, “and in a format that is workable and understandable and capable of meeting changing situations within the town.”

He also said, “This will not happen overnight. It will be a long process. Once an ordinance is developed and approved, documents such as standard operating procedures and standard operating guides as well as work instructions and procedures will need to be reviewed, revised and reformatted.”

Hartford said the department should operate within the parameters established by town ordinances and state and federal statutes. Specific standards should be established by the fire chief in conjunction with the firefighters, meeting criteria established by selectmen.