They will speak about the process during a press event that will also kick off Fire Prevention Week.
HAMILTON -- The leaders of Hamilton's firefighters' unions will publicly announce Monday the efforts they're planning in hopes of consolidating the township's fire districts.
They will speak about the process during a press event that will also kick off Fire Prevention Week.
The unions and three of Hamilton's nine fire districts support consolidation, an effort that recently gained some momentum when the three districts' commissioner boards passed resolutions publicly calling for a unified firefighting unit.
Hamilton currently has nine fire districts, which all levy a different amount of tax, and each has a five-member board of fire commissioners who draw a salaries. The districts' employ about 110 career firefighters in all.
The process to close, or have a district absorbed, takes a petition to the township council from 5 percent of a district's voters.
Union officials say they have been working on the petitions and will explain more about that effort Monday.
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The two unions, locals of the Firefighters' Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA), have also been working with a communications consultant from the state office of the FMBA.
Consultant Steve Lenox said his firm has been assisting the Hamilton unions on a consolidation strategy, outreach plans and the unions' goals in moving toward consolidation and they're ready to discuss, "how they're going to go about doing it."
The state FMBA is in favor of consolidation, Lenox said.
Joining union officials Monday will be Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer) and commissioners from Hamilton's Fire District 3, which is hosting the announcement at their firehouse, Rusling Hose Co., just off South Broad Street.
Districts that have passed a resolution calling for consolidation are District 9 in Groveville, District 6 in White Horse and District 5, which operates out of the DeCou fire company, also off South Broad Street.
Proponents of consolidation say Hamilton should have one unified firefighting force with one clear chain of command, one hiring and promotions plan for career firefighters and one centralized equipment replacement program.
Consolidation could enhance the township's volunteers, unify a disjointed fire service and guarantee proper financial controls, proponents say.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
