Across the country, throughout the state and locally, elected officials and City Managers have the responsibility to provide quality services to their citizens. Often, they need to look for innovative ways to deliver public services and make the best use of taxpayer’s dollars.

Over the last decade, Fairborn and Beavercreek have experienced rapid growth reaching their furthest borders. Independently, the Fairborn and Beavercreek Township Fire Departments faced their own challenges to deliver rapid fire and EMS response to their ever changing communities. These challenges lead Fairborn Fire Chief Mike Riley and Beavercreek Township Fire Chief Mark Thomas to explore the possibility of combining forces to staff Fairborn’s new Fire Station 2 on Commerce Center Boulevard. The joint venture will enable both departments to increase the level of service to both communities while making better use of their existing personnel.

On July 3, Chief Thomas will present the Beavercreek Township Trustees with a plan to jointly staff Fairborn’s new fire station when it opens in 2007. Each department will staff the station with two full-time firefighter/paramedics assigned to a shared response district covering both communities. Fairborn will equip the station with a Quint and Beavercreek with a medic. Both departments will share the cost of utilities incurred at the station.

Township Trustee Bob Glaser stated, “Any time we can lower the Insurance service office (ISO) ratings that will equate to a lower insurance premium paid by our citizens we are spending hard earned tax payer dollars correctly.”

“This innovative joint venture of providing Fire and EMS services with the City of Fairborn maximizes services while minimizing expenses; this is a win-win situation for the citizens of Beavercreek Township and Fairborn,” stated Beavercreek Trustee Carol Graff.

“The Fire Departments’ staffing proposal demonstrates their commitment to the citizens,” said Fairborn Mayor Tom Nagel about the possible joint venture. “It is refreshing to know two communities can work together for a common goal and the citizens truly reap the benefits.”

Chief Riley feels joint staffing will allow both departments to achieve the current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for response time and increase the availability of equipment and personnel.

According to Chief Mark Thomas, “Fire Departments routinely provide mutual aid to each other. This cooperative effort will take our emergency services to the next level and provide top notch fire and emergency medical needs for both communities.”

“I am excited by this innovative approach to provide better Fire and EMS service to our community,” stated Fairborn City Manager Mike Cornell. “More importantly, the changes will not increase the cost to taxpayers.”

Although the Fairborn City Council has been briefed on the proposal, Chief Riley will present them with the proposed agreement during the July 5 Council meeting.