INDIANAPOLIS — The Wayne Township Board has voted to approve the merger of the township's Emergency Medical Service with Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services.
On a vote of 4-1 Thursday, a resolution was approved that allows Township Trustee Jeb Bardon to negotiate details of the merger, including asset transfer and civilian employee payouts.
“While this wasn’t an easy decision, it’s the right one for our township, taxpayers and our employees,” Bardon said. “This merger will ensure that Wayne Township residents will benefit from world-class emergency medical protection for generations to come.”
The merger decision is separate from a proposal that the township's fire department become part of the Indianapolis Fire Department. Public input on that proposal is being sought and will be heard in a meeting on Feb. 22.
An effective date will be negotiated, as well.
Township officials said merging the fire department with IFD will not only save taxpayer dollars, but it will also ensure people get the services they need.
"Given the financial situation of the township, we think this is the best move," Wayne Township spokesperson Jeff Harris said. "We project by doing that, it will save taxpayers about 60% on their property tax rates."
It will also cut costs to the township, which is already operating on a tight budget.
"We are in a situation where as early as 2025, we will have to borrow money or shut down services,” Harris said.
If the board approves the move, the merger could happen as early as this summer. The proposed merger will not affect response time or staffing. Instead, Indianapolis would just manage the services.
“The logo may change on the fire stations in our community, but the personnel, the equipment and the stations will all remain the same," Harris said.
Wayne Township has 135 firefighters and 47 EMS employees.