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Wayne Township Fire Department to propose merger with Indianapolis Fire Department

The proposed merger will not affect response time or staffing. Instead, Indianapolis would just manage the services.

INDIANAPOLIS — Wayne Township wants to merge its fire department EMS with the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Township officials say 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," said Jeff Harris, Wayne Township spokesperson. "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.

A letter from the township trustee went out earlier this week notifying the community of plans to propose the merger to the Wayne Township Advisory Board on Thursday.

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.

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