The Ross Fire Department to Merge With Ross Valley Fire Department

After years of study and discussion, the Ross Town Council voted Thursday to merge its little fire department with the larger Ross Valley Fire Department, a move that is expected to cut costs and improve fire safety in the woodsy community.

"Consolidation of services is one of the few ways available to government to provide constituents with better quality service and at the same time save money," said Councilman Scot Hunter, head of the town public safety committee. "It's win-win any way you look at it."

With the merger, effective July 1, Ross will share fire services with San Anselmo, Sleepy Hollow and Fairfax. Those communities each have their own fire stations, and Ross will keep its station and maintain its three-person staff. The town's apprentice firefighter program will not be affected and the Ross Valley Paramedics will remain based in Ross.

Although the town is expanding its fire services, its small-town character will not be diminished, Hunter said.

"This change will not be discernible to our citizens," he said.

But the town will notice the change in its budget. It will save money through reduced overhead costs, overtime and the elimination of Social Security contributions, according to Ross Fire Chief Tom Vallee. In addition, all administrative work, including accounting, payroll processing and human resources, would move to the Ross Valley department, which would also coordinate fire inspections.

Savings are

estimated at more than $100,000 in the first year, although start-up costs may eat into that.

"But long term we think it will add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the coming years," Hunter said. "And the service will be better. It's two-fer."

The merger has had the full support of Vallee, who will be retiring as Ross fire chief in July, and Ross Valley Fire Chief Roger Meager, who will head up the expanded department.

"The labor force has been in favor of this because it provides them better training and more opportunities for advancement," Hunter said.

The consolidation measure passed on a 4-0 vote, with Councilman Rupert Russell, who voiced concerns about a technical aspect of the merger, abstaining.

"It took six years to get here," Hunter said. "It's been a great effort."

McClatchy-Tribune News Service