The City-County Council on Monday voted 17-10 to approve a merger of the Indianapolis and Washington Township fire departments, the first of what Mayor Bart Peterson hopes will be several mergers involving IFD and its township counterparts.
The vote clears the way for a Jan. 1. merger of the state's largest fire department, IFD, and the state's fifth-largest. Washington Township trustees approved the move last month.
Peterson has long advocated fire department mergers in Marion County, arguing it would bring needed savings. City leaders have said the IFD/WTFD merger will save at least $2 million per year.
"It's good all the way around for people of Washington Township and Indianapolis," Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell said Monday night.
Monday's vote came after a heated debate among council members. Some opponents of the plan said it was vague and that other issues needed to be settled first.
Plan supporters said that besides savings, the merger would prevent property tax increases for fire services in Washington Township for the next two years and allow Washington Township firefighters specialized training -- in water rescue, hazardous materials and heavy extrication -- to which they don't have access now.
Campbell said fire stations will not close in the township, "but you'll have fire stations that will be using personnel a lot better."
"You'll have fire trucks that will be fully manned," Campbell said.
City leaders intend to seek similar mergers with IFD and the county's other township fire departments.
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