Community Corner

Dearborn Receives State Grant Funding to Aid Fire Department Merger

The city was awarded a $264,500 grant from the state's Competitive Grant Assistance Program on Thursday.

The proposed merger between the Dearborn and Melvindale fire departments received a big boost of support this week from the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Dearborn was one of 11 Michigan communities to receive funding through the state's Competitive Grant Assistance Program, which allocates money to municipalities to offset costs related to the consolidation or sharing of services between local units of government.

“This program has proved to be very popular among municipalities looking to get the most out of their resources by partnering with other units of government,” Gov. Rick Snyder said in a press release. “The Department of Treasury reviewed dozens of applications for this initial round of funding for 2013 and to be selected, applicants had to show a strong commitment to collaborating with other municipalities and incorporating best practices.”

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Dearborn received $264,500 toward its consolidation with Melvindale.

Joey Thorington, union president for Dearborn IAFF Local 412, said negotiations for the consolidation are nearly complete.

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"We're just waiting for the individual muncipalities to work out the details on how the new department will be financed," he said.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. said a comprehensive plan will be presented to the city councils in Dearborn and Melvindale in May.

Thorington said under the agreement, Dearborn would run the new department. All of Melvindale's firefighters would remain with the department without an increase in staffing costs due to retirements in the DFD. A fire chief for the combined department has not been named.

The state grant will allow the DFD to purchase new equipment for its four stations and one station in Melvindale.


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