Two fire districts consider consolidation

February 2010

The Boards of Directors of both districts are currently analyzing financial details to determine how a condolidation might affect the taxpayers of both districts.

0800 Thursday, June 25

The Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District and the Wescott Fire Protection District have agreed to begin talks that could eventually lead to some form of consolidation.

Our two districts are next-door neighbors. The Wescott Fire Department serves about 6,500 homes in 20 square miles. Black Forest Fire/Rescue serves approximately 3,500 homes in a 48-square-mile area.

For years, we have fought fires together under an automatic aid agreement. Both boards of directors now want to know whether a closer legal relationship could benefit the citizens of both districts.

After several months of preliminary discussions, subcommittees reported that some form of consolidation might reduce citizens’ tax payments, as well as improve efficiency and flexibility.

But they caution that it’s too early to say whether the best solution would be a full merger, or creation of an umbrella authority to oversee the administration of both fire departments.

We will keep our citizens informed through this web site and the local news media. If you have comments or concerns on this issue, we encourage you to send them to our Board of Directors at: board@bffire.org