Five Ohio Departments Form Alliance

BLUE ASH --

Five Hamilton County fire departments said Friday that they're going to work together in an effort to improve safety and cut costs.

Blue Ash, Loveland, Sharonville, Sycamore Township and Symmes Township said they have formed the Northeast Fire Collaborative.

The department said the collaboration will allow them to train firefighters together, respond to emergencies together utilizing the closest station to the emergency and work toward better fiscal responsibility by sharing assets, conducting group purchases and providing for standardization of equipment and standards.

The collaboration will cover 11 stations and more than 300 firefighters and paramedics.

The departments said that in the end, the alliance should mean better response times, greater safety and cost savings for taxpayers.