There has been talk of regionalizing EMS and fire services, creating authorities, and other steps.

But, to help Warren County determine its fire and EMS response needs, it’s important to know what people expect.

The Fire Services Committee of the Warren County Intergovernmental Council (COG) has received responses from 20 of 27 municipalities in the county regarding their expectations. The COG Fire Services Committee asked municipal leaders to discuss the situation with their chiefs.

Most expect six firefighters, able to fight a fire from inside and outside a building, with one pumper to be able to arrive within 14 minutes of dispatch 80 percent of the time.

That was a C on the survey. The highest level – an A grade – was 15 firefighters, two pumpers and a truck, 90 percent of the time. One municipality put that expectation down on the survey.

No one chose the lowest grade — an F. That level of protection involved three firefighters and a pumper able to arrive in time to protect surrounding properties, with the expectation that the involved structure or structures would be lost.

The baseline “standard of service” information is part of an analysis that will help determine the future of fire and EMS services in the county.

“To fund EMS and fire departments, everybody needs to know that it costs money, how much it costs, and what’s important,” COG Fire Services Committee Chairman Paul Pascuzzi said.

The next step in the process is bringing together stakeholders.

There will be a “Future of Warren County’s Fire and EMS Organizations” meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, at the Pleasant Township Social Hall.

The focus will be on the responsibilities of municipalities and helping foster better relationships between departments and their elected municipal leaders.

Municipal leaders, firefighters, and EMS providers are invited and asked to RSVP by contacting Warren County Fire Services President Rich Barrett at barrett54@verizon.net or Pascuzzi at paul@taxcuzzi.com.