It’s been nearly 20 months since the consolidation of the Hamlin, Morton and Walker fire districts and officials at the district say the three fire departments involved have benefited in many ways.
“The result of consolidation is that overall membership has increased,” Hamlin Morton Walker Fire District Administrator Jerry Clement says. “By putting all three fire department revenues together, we are able to put funding where it is most needed. Overall, consolidation has improved effectiveness and efficiency of operations.”
Additionally, the consolidation has helped to retain membership at the three fire departments, and Fire Station 2 in Morton has undergone renovations and improvements, Clement says.
The Hamlin Morton Walker Fire District received a $120,000 state grant to help fund the renovation project, Clement explains, and the district celebrated the completion of that renovation on October 4 with an open house and short program.
State Senator Joe Robach and a representative of Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s office attended.
Fire Station 2 underwent extensive renovations/improvements which include: apparatus flexibility with higher overhead doors facilitated by shifting bay doors from the long but low west-facing side of the building, to the short, but higher south side of the building; apparatus and equipment storage space has been increased; the apparatus bay was painted and an epoxy floor installed; a vehicle exhaust system and full structure sprinklers were installed; company line officers’ space was added along with a day room with furniture and a television; and the station received new ceiling tiles, new flooring, and fresh paint in company meeting and training rooms. New tables, chairs and a TV screen now allow for training at the station and there is a patio on the north side off the day room area.
Clement says consolidation grant monies were also used, “to purchase radios that are both Orleans and Monroe County compatible.” Additionally, all three stations are now connected via a common system network.
“Everything came together fairly easily,” Clement observes of the consolidation process. “The end result has been very, very successful.”
One of the biggest hurdles to overcome when deciding to consolidate was concern by individual fire department members that the change would mean a loss of identity.
That hurdle has been mostly overcome, Clement explains, by working slowly and working together through the consolidation process. Members of all three departments came together in teams to discuss the process, focusing on issues such as apparatus, computer systems and station maintenance.
“We didn’t move too quickly,” Clement notes, “going carefully and slowly assisted in making this come together.”
Clement explains that firefighters from the three departments now come together to train, and apparatus is shared among the departments, but each individual department continues its own fundraising activities and events as well as social activities. Two of the departments have their own ladies’ auxiliaries.
The history and legacy of the three departments continues, Clement says, but as part of the consolidated district, members, “blend together to focus on serving the community.”
Tom Maier, who served as the first District Chief following consolidation, says members of the three departments wear the same uniforms and turn-out gear, but also have their own individual t-shirts and other apparel.
Clement and Maier add that the consolidation has drawn the attention of other fire departments in Western New York, including Livonia and Fredonia. Officials from other departments have approached Hamlin Morton Walker for information about their consolidation experience.
“They want to know, ‘How did you do this?’” Maier says.
