Session looks at improving firefighting

The meeting is just the beginning of discussion on merging fire services.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- What is the best way to provide the most efficient fire protection to five eastern Mahoning County communities?
One possible answer is merging fire departments.
That was one of the main options discussed at a meeting here Monday of officials representing five fire departments: Poland village and township, Springfield and Coitsville townships and New Middletown.
About 25 to 30 people including village and township officials, fire chiefs, firefighters and others attended the 45-minute session, called to explore ideas for improving the overall level of firefighting in the county's eastern portion.
The forum also was set up to allow fire officials to reflect on their departments' strengths and weaknesses as well as to enhance ways to be more proactive in serving the approximately 26,400 residents in eastern Mahoning County.
For the past year or more, improving all aspects of firefighting, including response time and training, has been a main source of dialogue among several fire chiefs, said Chief Chip Comstock of the Western Reserve Fire District, which is made up of Poland village and township.
One of the main options brought up at the meeting was the possibility of merging the five departments, which have a total operating budget of about $1.15 million.
What-if scenario
Comstock gave a presentation that, among other things, examined what could result if the five departments, with a total of 163 firefighters, were under a single umbrella.
Comstock stressed that Monday's forum was intended to brainstorm for ideas and that "nothing is etched in stone," adding that joining the departments could be several years away, if it happens at all.
During his talk, the chief outlined various scenarios and advantages possible under a combined district, such as improving coordination of responses, expanding emergency management response operations and saving residents money on their insurance rates. A joint district could include at least nine fire stations, Comstock noted.
Comstock stressed that a lot more discussion needs to take place before any moves are made. He called Monday's session "a beginning, not an end," and said that each community will decide whether to support a joint district or another option.
Another meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. today at Poland Presbyterian Church, 2 Poland Manor Drive, for those who were unable to attend Monday's session.