A pared-back version of a proposal to consolidate fire department services with Empire Township was discussed this week by the Glen Arbor Township Board.

Supervisor John Soderholm reported to his board Tuesday that an alternative proposal to an earlier one that appeared too costly to Empire is now on the table. It calls for one full-time equivalent firefighter/ emergency medical technician available on a 24-hour, 7-day per week basis.

Immediate response would occur from the Glen Arbor full-time paid staff on each and every fire and EMS call in Empire and its defined service area. Only paid volunteers would normally respond to mutual aid requests without a contract. Support would be provided by part-time paid “volunteers” that would arrive from both Glen Arbor and Empire townships.

An incremental cost increase of $143,250 was identified. It would be offset by $36,000 to cover the necessary increase in staffing. The initial staffing plan, which included two FTE firefighter/EMTs, had an estimated cost of $280,000. It was also significantly less than the $740,000 initially discussed to combine the departments outright.

Soderholm suggested the ad hoc committee studying the plan come up with a formula that ensures equitable sharing of costs over time.

The proposal is now in the hands of Empire Township Board.

“If it is the conclusion that they want to proceed we’ll talk about an April 1 target date,” Soderholm said.

In related business during the 90-minute meeting, Fire Chief John Dodson reported:
• A new automated external defibrillator (AED) has been received and one new AED has been installed on the main floor of the township hall, at the board’s request.

• Twenty-eight emergency medical calls had been received so far in October, bringing the year-to-date total to 225. Fire calls for the month came to 11 for a total of 299 runs so far in 2007.