Two Fire Departments Under One Chief

The Marysville City Council and Port Huron City Council, last night approved to move forward with a collaborative agreement for fire services between the two cities.  Talks of the move have been going on since May of last year.  City Manager Bruce Brown will be drafting  a working agreement, along with with legal counsel, between both departments.   Reports say that over a five year period, Port Huron could save some $3 million with Marysville showing a savings of about $1 million.  Both municipalities would retain ownership of their equipment and facilities, and continue to each pay for their staffs.  The major difference being the departments would come under the management of one fire chief, whose salary would be paid for by both Port Huron and Marysville – 75% and 25% respectively.   Marysville Fire Chief Tom Konik is ready to take the position, as Port Huron Fire Chief Bob Eick is coming up on a retirement date.  Most of the savings is expected to come as a result of  less overtime hours logged by firefighters and both chiefs say the collaboration won’t result in layoffs.