Preliminary Fire Department Consolidation Discussions
June 20, 2008 | 04:08 PM Posted by the Greendale
Fire Department
Village of Greendale and City of Greenfield
- Joint Press Release -
The City of Greenfield and the Village of Greendale have begun preliminary discussions on consolidating or merging their respective fire departments. These discussions have focused on the interest of moving forward with discussions. No formal discussions between elected officials have taken place.
Village President Hermes said, “These preliminary discussions were initiated by the staff of both departments. It’s just too early to realize whether there is substantial merit for such a consolidation. I have clearly stated to all parties that should there be a concerted move towards fire consolidation, this effort must meet two very important tests. One, that it factually demonstrates an improved fire service to Greendale residents, and two, that it demonstrates a very real reduction in overall fire service costs to our taxpayers. Lacking these two basic principles, it would make no sense for Greendale to enter into such an agreement.”
Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke said “the fire departments are currently working together on many emergency scenes so formally bringing the organizations together would unify training and standardize operations, thus increasing service levels and most importantly safety for citizens and firefighters.”
Greendale Fire Chief Jonathan Cohn stated “many consolidation models have controlled costs, reduced duplication, created efficiencies, improved safety, and increased service levels.”
Greendale Village Manager Todd Michaels stated “these are the initial steps in a multi-step process. An evaluation of current costs and services compared to anticipated consolidated costs and levels of services will be done.” If the results of the initial evaluation are positive, then a decision to take subsequent steps will be evaluated.”
Greenfield Fire Chief Russ Spahn believes the organizations must prepare for the future. Chief Spahn’s 30-year fire service career has seen dramatic changes and further changes can be expected at an even greater accelerated pace. Spahn believes we must prepare our organizations for the future. He said “change is a daunting task but the outcome of not trying is far worse.”
While Greenfield has two fire stations and Greendale has one, a consolidated department would operate out of the three existing locations. However, under a consolidated department and for the purpose of fire and medical emergency responses, the community boundaries would be eliminated and residents would get the closest, most appropriate unit responding to their emergency.
The next step in the process will be conducting a side-by-side, “apples-to-apples” comparison of costs and services of the individual departments as compared to a consolidated department. This analysis is expected to be completed later this year at which time it will be presented to local elected officials and residents.
- Joint Press Release -
The City of Greenfield and the Village of Greendale have begun preliminary discussions on consolidating or merging their respective fire departments. These discussions have focused on the interest of moving forward with discussions. No formal discussions between elected officials have taken place.
Village President Hermes said, “These preliminary discussions were initiated by the staff of both departments. It’s just too early to realize whether there is substantial merit for such a consolidation. I have clearly stated to all parties that should there be a concerted move towards fire consolidation, this effort must meet two very important tests. One, that it factually demonstrates an improved fire service to Greendale residents, and two, that it demonstrates a very real reduction in overall fire service costs to our taxpayers. Lacking these two basic principles, it would make no sense for Greendale to enter into such an agreement.”
Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke said “the fire departments are currently working together on many emergency scenes so formally bringing the organizations together would unify training and standardize operations, thus increasing service levels and most importantly safety for citizens and firefighters.”
Greendale Fire Chief Jonathan Cohn stated “many consolidation models have controlled costs, reduced duplication, created efficiencies, improved safety, and increased service levels.”
Greendale Village Manager Todd Michaels stated “these are the initial steps in a multi-step process. An evaluation of current costs and services compared to anticipated consolidated costs and levels of services will be done.” If the results of the initial evaluation are positive, then a decision to take subsequent steps will be evaluated.”
Greenfield Fire Chief Russ Spahn believes the organizations must prepare for the future. Chief Spahn’s 30-year fire service career has seen dramatic changes and further changes can be expected at an even greater accelerated pace. Spahn believes we must prepare our organizations for the future. He said “change is a daunting task but the outcome of not trying is far worse.”
While Greenfield has two fire stations and Greendale has one, a consolidated department would operate out of the three existing locations. However, under a consolidated department and for the purpose of fire and medical emergency responses, the community boundaries would be eliminated and residents would get the closest, most appropriate unit responding to their emergency.
The next step in the process will be conducting a side-by-side, “apples-to-apples” comparison of costs and services of the individual departments as compared to a consolidated department. This analysis is expected to be completed later this year at which time it will be presented to local elected officials and residents.
