Cities discuss financial impact of merging fire departments

Pocatello and Chubbuck city councils met with their fire chiefs today to discuss the potential fire department merger. Although both sides are on board with the idea, there are big concerns in how it will affect their wallets.

Pocatello Fire Chief David Gates and Chubbuck Fire Chief Eric King presented their findings of merging at Pocatello City Hall Monday. In their report, they recommended the fire departments undergo an operational consolidation. Under this the the two would operate and provide services as one entity in the area, but still remain separate. The services would be outlined in a joint power agreement, which would be created by a board representing both cities.

According to their report, Gates and King listed the initial cost for consolidating would be $378,000. Pocatello would have to pay nearly $62,000, while Chubbuck would have to front $316,000.

Gates said the numbers are pretty intimidating, but the future savings would be worth it.

“Although this seems like a tough bill to follow, once we’ve gotten through that I think we will recognize a whole lot of savings in other areas,” Gates said. “Unless we chose to just do nothing and allow the services to falter.”

After the presentation both fire chiefs opened the floor for questions. Several Chubbuck city councilmen expressed their concern for their part of the costs.

“How do you improve services and do it at the lowest cost possible, that’s what this process should be about,” said Joshua Ellis, president of Chubbuck City Council.

Mayor Kevin England said the number isn’t realistic for his city and there is wiggle room to work with.

“We really do need to have that discussion first, to determine if that is really a realistic thing for us to do and if it is how we do go about it,” said England.

Gates expressed that the numbers in the report are just a starting point and further discussion is needed. All councilmen agreed.

“Today we have a number to start with,” said Mayor Brian Blad. “We had to throw it out there and people at that point have the opportunity to say move forward and let’s do it, or let’s not do it.”

A steering committee is now being organized to do more research and hopefully bring those numbers down. The committee will have representatives from both cities, Bannock County and the presidents of Pocatello and Chubbuck firefighter unions.