Seven mid-county municipalities will participate in the study of a regional fire authority.
The Clayton City Council will consider an ordinance on June 9 establishing an intergovernmental agreement for the study.
Municipal fire departments currently face mounting cost pressures from equipment, personnel and the maintenance of modern apparatus. Furthermore, service fragmentation can lead to inefficient operations.
The study will evaluate the estimated cost of operating a centralized entity, while maintaining or enhancing service levels.
By establishing a regional fire authority, municipalities may be able to eliminate redundant administrative functions, standardize equipment and training, thoughtfully deploy apparatus throughout the service area and enhance market position resulting in improved firefighter/paramedic recruitment and retention, while leveraging economies of scale for purchasing.
In addition to Clayton and Webster Groves, the other cities participating include Maplewood, Shrewsbury, Richmond Heights, University City and Olivette.
By joining the study, the City of Webster Groves is not obligated to become a member of any future fire authority. This intergovernmental agreement is merely to determine if it would be feasible, prudent and/or desired.
The study is being performed in partnership with the firefighters’ union, IAFF Local 2665.
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Webster Groves
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