MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Meridian Township's Fire Department is hoping to standardize all fire practices among fire stations in the region.

The fire department is working with local firehouses nearby including Delhi Township and the Greater Lansing Area.

Fire Chief Fred Cowper says that after the attack on the twin towers in 2001, fire departments must be prepared to congregate together to help each other if something of that nature were to happen in Michigan.

"All these things that have changed that have gone on are causing mass casualties in cities and townships... We have to be prepared to act quickly if if that happens in our areas," said Cowper.

He said this can be somewhat difficult because fire departments are not used to having to work together like police departments and can be somewhat territorial about their personal firehouse routines and practices.

"We need to help each other we need to move into each others territory when there’s a need And we need to do it quickly and efficiently so that’s why we're training together, trying to standardize procedures and all those kind of things so that we fit very well. "

Cowper also mentioned that financially this is a plus for the community because they are allowed to have more fire fighters on duty for less money. The program has done so well that it recently won an achievement award.

"We've put more people on the fire ground now, certainly increasing safety," said Cowper. “ I think more training, the equipment, all those kinds of things we've been able to build into the program and you know in Meridian safety is number one.”