Times Observer file photo A report on the future of fire service in Warren County stresses the need for sharing services, possibilities for merger and consolidation and the implementation of paid staff in some capacity.

A report prepared by a consultant from the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services is recommending that the county’s fire departments seek out shared service arrangements or “opportunities for merger or consolidation.”

The report was drafted by John Senft, described as a “fire peer consultant.”

“The intent of this report is to provide information for municipal officials to assist in making informed decisions regarding public fire protection within and for the municipalities within the county,” Senft wrote.

He says the local contacts primarily involved in the process were COG Fire Services chair Paul Pascuzzi and Public Safety Director Ken McCorrison.

The report’s findings are included in a 20-page summary that is supplemented by 90 pages of maps, agreements, reports and articles.

Before launching into a series of recommendations, the report acknowledges that fire service is the responsibility of the municipality and not the county.

But that doesn’t mean that a county-wide solution might not be part of the future.

“While a county-wide system is not currently possible, a county-wide system is a realistic possibility,” the report states. “The effectiveness of such a system is directly proportional to the number of municipalities that would participate in such a system.”

The first recommendation encourages the commissioners to meet with local elected officials “and encourage them to meet their legal obligations, including the appropriate funding for fire services.”

“It is important for every municipality to appropriately fund their local fire department in a manner that reflects their acceptable level of risk.”

The report outlines a need to “establish open communication” between the responders and the municipality.

Funding is a known challenge and Senft addressed it bluntly.

“While many local fire companies conduct fund raising activities,” he wrote, “it is absurd to think that public fire protection can be adequately funded in the future in this manner.”

He recommends the county undertake a county-wide community risk reduction planning process

“Staffing levels are critically low, especially during daytime hours,” the report states. “To ensure adequate personnel are available, all fire departments within the county should consider sharing resources. A combined effort to staff key apparatus at selected locations should be implemented.”

Senft encourages elected officials at the county and municipal level “to interact directly with their emergency responders, keeping in mind that the emergency responders from within the county are among the best suited to address the issues within their own county.”

Another recommendation concludes that “consideration” must be given to supplementing the system with paid personnel.

But the report places a high value on the volunteer force currently place and calls for its expansion, as well.

“In addition to supplementing the system with compensated personnel, steps should also be taken to reinforce the volunteer system,” the report states. “Volunteers provide a tremendous cost savings to the municipality.”

Other recommendations included investments in the expansion of water systems available to responders as well as discussion on funding streams.

The report also provides additional commentary on the idea of a county-wide department, calling that option a “unique opportunity.

“While current law does not permit the county to operate a fire department, a newly formed nonprofit organization could be the nucleus for public fire protection for the county,” it states. “This concept brings certain operational advantages, such as one central organization operating from multiple fire stations.”

It’s a concept, Senft notes, that has “gained popularity” in other parts of the state.

“The county should consider exploring these options for partnerships,” the report concludes. “Operational changes need to be made to ensure that resources are available in time of emergency. This includes the sharing of personnel within the emergency service community The fire departments within Warren County now have an opportunity to initiate and develop this process.”

He stresses that a paidoption “must be considered.

“The future of the fire service throughout the county will most likely be one which utilizes the dedication of the volunteers blended with paid personnel.”