The number of battalion chiefs serving in Youngstown will soon grow back to its old number.

An ordinance that increases the number of battalion chief positions within the Youngstown Fire Department narrowly passed at a city council meeting Wednesday night. It is an amendment that stemmed from the original ordinance passed back in March 2021.

Passing the ordinance helped avoid the risk for the City of Youngstown being found in contempt of court, after the law stated the city illegally eliminated three battalion chief positions. This vote officially reinstated those positions.

Councilwoman Anita Davis, who represents the 6th Ward, voted against the ordinance. She said the change is an administrative decision.

"Youngstown did not repeal the ordinance, said Davis. "Our officers were directed to no longer enforce it. The courts made a ruling that says that action was wrong and once they made a ruling that negated the law that we passed. Therefore we did not need to repeal."

The ultimate vote to pass the ordinance was approved in narrow fashion as council members voted 4-3 in favor of it.