ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. --
Eyewitness News uncovered a top-secret study that showed taxpayers could save potentially tens of millions of dollars if Orange County took over Orlando fire service.
However, the Orlando Firefighters Union sued to keep it secret and left the taxpayers spending millions more than they had to.
Orange County firefighters paid for a study that showed merging with city fire departments could save money. It also showed consolidation would improve services by streamlining calls for service.
"We were against it and looked at it as a hostile takeover of the Orlando Fire Department," said Wayne Bernoska, Vice President of the Orlando Fire Union.
The study shows four different consolidation models that would cut non-union staff and equipment.
One model would combine the Orange County and Orlando Fire Departments into one single entity. Another would let Orlando and Orange County keep their fire stations, but merge other areas.
The study mentioned several departments, including Human Resources, Training and Fire Communications that could be consolidated.
Some taxpayers worry about response times and higher home insurance rates.
"I think my initial reaction is no. Isn't safety first?" asked taxpayer Stephanie Foster.
County Commissioner Linda Stewart supports consolidation. Orlando and Orange County Fire Services currently cost a combined $232 million per year.
The study did not give an exact dollar amount of how much consolidation would save taxpayers because Orlando firefighters did not cooperate.
However, Stewart believes this move could save tens of millions of dollars.
"From what understand it cost far more for unit service in the City of Orlando than in Orange County," she said.
The Orlando fire union disagrees.
"If you are doing it to save money you are not saving," said Bernoska.
The Orange County Fire Union said they did not want to talk about the study, because of past legal issues with Orlando.
