In his monthly report, Chelsea Area Fire Authority Chief Jim Payeur asked the Chelsea Area Fire Authority (CAFA) Board to consider meeting with the Dexter Area Fire Department (DAFD) Board to discuss shared services, which he said could result in cost savings and better coverage for both departments.
Payeur said that CAFA receives about $15,000 from Dexter Township to provide emergency services to a small portion of the township, and that CAFA pays about $56,000 to DAFD to provide coverage for six sections of Lima Township.
“I think it would be prudent for both organizations to look at sharing services instead of exchanging funds,” according to Payeur’s report.
The chief told the board that CAFA could provide coverage to more of Dexter Township and automatically send the new ladder truck to structure fires while DAFD would save the costs of purchasing a very expensive truck and perhaps receive better International Organization for Standards, or ISO, ratings as well.
The City of Chelsea’s ISO rating is a 4, which is in the top 10 percent of fire departments in the state, said Rod Anderson, chairman of the CAFA board.
Dexter, he suggested, could continue providing coverage to the same six sections and potentially provide automatic aid to Lyndon township for structure fires.
“This would result in cost savings for both while improving service to both,” he said.
