UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The results of a study years in the making was released last week at the Township Board meeting. Fire Chief Fred Cowper shared the news from the Regional Fire Study, a plan to consolidate six fire departments.

Though the merging of the departments may be years away, the study offered three phases as preparation. Fire Chief Cowper mentioned that the stations have already been doing some of the ideas listed on the phases like sharing equipment and training schedules.

"There are three objectives that need to be met. One is that we have to embrace part time paramedic firefighters, firefighters have to be assigned to stations, not apparatus and I think there will be a reduction in administrative staff and maybe even firefighter staff," commented Cowper.

Three consolidation scenarios were also developed and each one proposes to save millions of dollars annually. Cowper said that the departments have not been met with any resistance to the consolidation plans.

ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Regional Fire Study came up with ways to save millions of dollars. To find out how, watch Meridian Magazine.