By JONATHAN SNYDER
While Markle and Uniondale’s fire departments officially merged on July 1, negotiations about Uniondale’s financial commitment are ongoing.
Currently, the volunteer fire department in Markle is supported by financial commitments from the townships and the town of Markle. Equipment purchases like trucks and apparatuses are made with a combination of funds from all five entities. Uniondale’s addition would make a sixth partner in the deal.
The major issue stems from Uniondale’s tax base. Uniondale submitted three proposals for the trustees and Markle to review, but none were accepted. Markle and the trustees want to ensure the new deal will be financially sustainable for Uniondale, keeping theirs and Markle’s constituents happy with the fire department’s service. Markle Council member Matthew Doss stated that he is pleasantly surprised what Uniondale can financially do.
“One of the main considerations is keeping our station in Uniondale, with equipment and manpower, at the station and that will not change in this merger,” Uniondale Chief Mike Cains said. “Geographically, it makes no sense to do away with the station and take it all tomorrow or vice versa. Really it just enhances … the service that we (Uniondale) can provide.”
Over the years, both Markle and Uniondale’s fire departments have built a great relationship, according to Markle Chief Jon Gray and Chief Mike Cains, who became an assistant chief in the merger.
“Based on where the incident is at, if it is east of the Uniondale fire station, the Markle Fire Department will respond … unless they need us at the scene and vice versa,” Gray stated. “That way we always have coverage at the stations when there is an incident going on.”
The merger also gives more volunteer manpower to both stations. With a volunteer shortage nationwide, more manpower means more people readily available to respond at different times. Chief Cains stated that Uniondale’s department roster will grow from 18 members to 36 with the merger.
“That’s the great thing about a volunteer fire department, you get all aspects of life and skills that come to the table,” Gray said. “You may not be able to go inside or not feel comfortable going inside of a structure fire, but you could be really good at running a pump or doing next year’s things as well as the medical side. So those guys (Uniondale Fire Department) bring a lot to the table.”
The merger also sees a benefit for Uniondale residents when it comes to insurance rates. Every five years, fire departments are audited and placed on a one to 10 scale, with one being the best, based on their ability to respond in all situations. Markle’s station was given a five for their readiness, while Uniondale was given a 10. Since Uniondale will be merging under Markle’s name, Uniondale residents will be covered under Markle’s better rating. While rates may not drop right away, Gray believes that eventually insurance rates for the town will fall.
Union Township Trustee in Wells County Brian Imel stated that the merger will allow all parties to make larger purchases, if necessary. With the insurance rates now falling under one policy and shared equipment costs, Imel believes all parties will save money.
Imel believes a deal will be struck near the end of summer and says the trustees and towns are all on board with the merger.
“The trustees are all on board with the manpower and the things that are happening there,” Imel said. “It’s probably going to come down to just how we can equitably include the expenses at the fire and what that’s all going to look like.”
“There’s a lot of rumors going around about a lot of different things,” Cains said. “But everybody is working together to make this a positive outcome. And the town and trustees both in Markle and in Uniondale are doing their best to make sure that everything is in place and done the right way.”
jonathan@news-banner.com
