Several West City residents turned out for Monday night’s West City Village Board Meeting regarding last month’s decision by the board to end the First Responders program.

The program, which recently began, allowed local firefighters to respond to medical emergencies and provide first aid for people within West City. That’s according to the Benton Gazette.

One resident presented the board with a petition with over 500 signatures asking for the program to be reinstated. The village’s deputy fire chief also said the program has saved lives over the past few months and it should be restored saying it is of utmost importance to residents in West City.

When questioned by one resident for the reason the board voted after closed session with no public feedback to end the program, West City Mayor Ron House said the program was only temporary. He could not say any more about it by law during Monday’s meeting because the topic wasn’t on the agenda.

House said if the board wanted to hold a special meeting to discuss the program further, they could hold one. A date for the meeting is expected to be announced soon.