Fire Departments Consolidating?

[lt29]

Just wanting to get some views and opinions on the consolidations of fire departments? My department and a neighboring fire department are consolidating, not because we have to but we think that its in the best interest for our communities. Would just like to hear some complete outside opinions, views and experiences.

[tree68]

Consolidation simply for the sake of consolidation usually isn't a good idea. If you've found that there will be advantages, you're probably going to do well.

It sounds like you've already gotten over one major hump - buy-in from both departments. That's almost always a deal killer.

A number of years ago we formed a fire district in our township. Instead of involving a village, a small fire district, the township (with two separate fire protection contracts), and the two fire departments, all fire protection now comes under one governing body. The two departments still maintain separate fraternal organizations and operate as separate fire departments, but all of our money comes from one source (charitable fundraising notwithstanding).

There has been discussion of merging the two organizations, but due to station spacing, both current stations would continue to exist. The buy-in wasn't there - there were rumors that some members would walk if the merger occured.

The same thing is being discussed in another nearby township, although they may well merge the two departments as well.

A third department that operates in the township under contract has opted not to join in the effort. Since their station is just a mile from one of the two that are planning on merging, they probably rightfully fear that they'll cease to exist as an entity - their doors will close and their equipment will be spread between the other two stations.

Creating a larger district gives you a much larger tax base - something that makes major purchases a little easier. It also makes standardization a lot easier, which can lead to savings where quantity purchases are concerned.

You're to be commended. Parochialism is rampant in the fire service. No one wants to believe that their fire department may be redundant, and/or they don't want to give up their jacket.

[dfwfirefighter]

Consolidating FDs does have its place in the fire service. Too often though, chiefs and/or bean counters think that it is as easy as changing the patch you display on your sleeve and/or painting your rigs a different color.

For consolidation to be successful, it must be planned. I cannot happen overnight (although many folks try to do just that). If the long-term goal is consolidating two or more organizations, "baby steps" must be taken incrementally to reach that goal. Start out with the bread and butter stuff - rules/regs, answering together along border areas, and etc. Meet with the employee assocations, HR, and Civil Service to get employee feedback and buy-in to what is planning to take place. Begin to combine common operational and administrative tasks gradually. Spec and order equipment that will benefit both departments. For example, order the same type PPE, common tools and equipment, and etc. Over time, as more and more things become common between the "soon to be consolidated" organizations take place, the "official" act of consolidating will merely be icing on the cake as the affected organizations are already operating as one organization.

Too many times, the complete opposite occurs. Two or more organizations are merged as one and the first time anyone has anything to do with the other work group is after the fact. THAT is a recipe for failure.

[jtucker1384]

We had two departments in my are consolidate and they did it the way he just explained and it seems to be working for them. Although I think in the process a few people got the F'ed but other than that from what I can tell its worked out for the better.

[tree68]

For a textbook case of how not to do a merger, study up on the Penn Central Railroad. Despite it being a merger in name, they set up two separate management teams. Rather like two fire departments saying they're merging, but keeping the individual command structures and fraternal organizations.

[lt29]

well thanks for the input.