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Reemstown and Smokestown volunteer departments outline merger plan aiming for 2025 start
Summary
Deputy Chief Dennis Coleman told the board the steering committee for a merger of Reemstown and Smokestown volunteer fire companies expects to compile subcommittee reports this summer and, pending approvals, to operate under a single department name by Jan. 1, 2025.
Deputy Fire Chief Dennis Coleman briefed the board on progress toward merging Reemstown and Smokestown volunteer fire companies. He said subcommittees focusing on finance, operations, administration and EMS have been meeting for months and are preparing a consolidated packet for the membership of both stations to review.
"Our goal is by 01/01/2025, if all goes well, to be up and operational," Coleman said. He added the steering committee had chosen a new department name but would announce it only after approvals and station votes.
Board members thanked Coleman and commended leaders of the volunteer departments for pursuing solutions to rising equipment and staffing costs. Coleman said consolidation is partly driven by rising apparatus costs and falling volunteer numbers and that the merged structure would allow shared apparatus and administrative savings.
Next steps: The steering committee will present consolidated reports to both stations for approval; pending positive votes and completed paperwork, the merged department expects to file official documents and update community communications.
