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.

Source