Mutual aid pact: friends indeed for friends in need

Congratulations to nearly all of Mahoning County's cities, townships and villages for ratifying a mutual-aid agreement that allows their fire departments to help others in case of an emergency outside their jurisdiction.
With as many different jurisdictions as are found throughout Ohio, each with its own fire department, mutual-aid pacts have been difficult to achieve. Some communities worry about being held liable if their fire departments are busy with a call in their own territories and are unable to help. Others are concerned about reimbursement.
And others, like Struthers and Beloit which did not join in the agreement, are concerned about limited budgets or distances their fire departments might be expected to travel.
Even without their participation, however, the mutual aid agreement, which took several years to develop, has become especially important in view of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In fact, this agreement may well be considered an important step in ensuring homeland security.