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Officials brief commissioners on ongoing Allen County fire protection consolidation work
Summary
Local fire chiefs and IAFF Local 124 reported an 18-month effort to consolidate fire protection districts outside Fort Wayne, citing volunteer shortages, safety concerns and plans to preserve local representation through statutory changes.
Northwest Fire District Chief Robert Boren, Northeast Chief Jeff Berning and Jeremy Bush of IAFF Local 124 updated the commissioners on an 18-month consolidation planning process for Allen County fire protection districts outside the City of Fort Wayne. Speakers said volunteerism and response staffing shortages are widespread and that the consolidation effort aims to strengthen service delivery while preserving local representation.
The officials said they have engaged state legislators and the Department of Local Government Finance to develop a statutory path and plan to hold three public hearings to share the same information with affected communities. They described the work as deliberate and driven by safety and reliability concerns rather than mandates from elected officials.
