Your Take: Should East Lyme's Two Fire Departments Merge?

At a recent Board of Finance meeting, Chairman Raymond Hart was criticized for suggesting that East Lyme's two fire departments would run more efficiently and cost-effectively if they merged their operations under one chief. 

But, tradition aside, is it really such an outlandish proposal? 

Flanders Fire Department and Niantic Fire Department are staffed with a mix of professional fire fighters and volunteers, but the professional firefighters serve both departments and are members of the same union.

Hart, who is a fire fighter himself, suggests that if they were merged under one chief, they'd be able to share equipment and ensure that all their equipment is compatible (which isn't necessarily the case now.)

Instead of each department independently hiring vendors to perform maintenance or recalibrate equipment, he said, they'd pay the same vendor to service both departments at the same time. 

It would also improve communication between the two departments, which Hart suggested is sometimes lacking. A prime example of that would be Flanders Fire Department's budget request for $28,000 to buy four air packs.

Niantic Fire Department didn't need to ask the town for money to by its air packs because it applied for a grant to cover the cost. Unfortunately, only one grant is allowed per town per year, and because both departments are located in East Lyme, Flanders was out of luck. 

Niantic Fire Chief John F. McDonald III said that he doesn't think the departments would realize cost savings by merging under one chief. Niantic operates on a very tight budget, he said, and he "beats up vendors" to get the best price for services.

As for interdepartmental communication, he said, "we work extremely well together. Camaraderie is great. I think we communicate well. If I need a piece of equipment that Flanders has, they bring it right over."

"If someone can point out a way to save money, I'm always looking for ways to save money," McDonald said. But, he added, he's not in favor of merging the two fire departments. "Why fix something that's not broke?"

What do you think? Should the town's two fire departments be merged? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments!