Search Google for the term “joint fire district” and you get 744,000 results. Add the word “Ohio” and the results only fall to 314,000. Perhaps this is one very unscientific way to see the scope of activity taking place right here regarding the opportunities and realities of government collaboration in the realm of fire and emergency services.
More action around this important topic was added in Northeast Ohio recently when the City of Canal Fulton and Lawrence Township in Stark County agreed to form a committee to study the feasibility of creating a joint fire district that would provide fire and emergency services to both communities. Check out the full story from The Repository.
Encouragingly, the story notes that city council and trustees will appoint residents to join government officials and fire chiefs on the committee. It’s great to see residents actively engaged in these important conversations. Ultimately, it is the citizens who will decide the kind of government we have in Northeast Ohio, and that’s why the public decides who wins the EfficientGovNow grant money.
Encourage your local government officials to follow the lead of these Stark County governments and push them to apply for an EfficientGovNow grant. Check out our list of 10 easy ways to spur the second round of EfficientGovNow for ideas.