Two fire departments serving several northern Berrien County communities are studying ways they could better coordinate to save resources.
Hagar Township Supervisor Izzy DiMaggio tells us leaders in Hagar Township, Watervliet, Watervliet Township, Coloma, and Coloma Township are looking at the possibility of combining some operations of North Berrien Fire and Rescue, which serves Hagar, with the Watervliet Fire Department. Among other thinfs, they are studying mutual purchases to save money. The talks gained momentum after both departments faced major equipment costs.
“We just bought a new fire truck last year, approximately $890,000 that was split by Coloma City, Coloma Township, and Hagar on a formula basis,” DiMaggio said. “Watervliet has [also ] ordered a new fire truck.”
And that’s when the fire chief in Watervliet approached North Berrien Fire and Rescue about potentially joining forces.
DiMaggio says a $20,000 study now underway with the aid of a consultant will soon result in a report for the five municipalities to consider.
“That study is just about completed. We’ll take a look at it, and if it makes sense, we may have a joint meeting with all five municipalities.”
DiMaggio says the cost of the study is being split equally between the five local governments. He says the protection provided to Hagar Township by North Berrien Fire and Rescue is excellent, but this could be about better using resources. DiMaggio adds he would not favor a full consolidation of the fire services, although the study is looking at that, among other things. He says previous discussions about consolidation proved the idea to be a “non-starter.”
