ROSSFORD – Perrysburg Township has presented a suggestion to Rossford to combine fire departments but perhaps the most important part was left unsaid.

At no time during the 40-minute presentation was the cost to the city discussed.

Perrysburg Township Fire Chief Tom Brice attended Rossford’s city council meeting Tuesday to present what he called the township’s contracted services proposal.

Brice said he was not an advocate of combining departments but “I wouldn’t be here tonight if I didn’t think this was a great idea.”

“This just makes sense to me,” he said.

Perrysburg Township has had a full-time fire department since 1988 and currently has 35 full- and part-time fire personnel, 22 paramedics, three engines, one ladder truck, one brush truck and three ambulances.

“Our full-time, part-time model works well for us,” Brice said.

They managed 2,538 calls last year, mostly EMS, he said.

Brice said his team developed a possible staffing model that will give Rossford “the most bang for your buck.”

No department will ever be staffed to where they don’t need help from surrounding departments, he said.

He suggested Rossford have three full-time and one part-time firefighter on shift 27/7, 365 days and recommended the department have one fire inspector on staff to provide safety for the community.

Perrysburg Township would keep five full-time and one part-time firefighter per shift.

Brice would remain chief of both departments and Jim Rodriguez would remain deputy fire chief.

The staffing model for the combined departments included one battalion chief per shift, who will oversee day-to-day operations at both departments; and one line officer per shift at each department who will be responsible for callouts.

“What it comes down to, if it is a legitimate emergency, it comes down to response times,” Brice said. “If we work together, we can save more lives.”

From the Perrysburg Township fire house on Lime City Road, it is 2.2 miles or five minutes to Simmons Crossing in Rossford. It is 5.5 miles and 13 minutes from the Rossford department on Osborne Street.

Similarly, Rossford Elementary is 2.1 miles and five minutes for Perrysburg Township and 3.3 miles and eight minutes for Rossford.

The businesses on Ohio 20 are nearly five miles closer to Perrysburg Township, which can get there nine minutes faster.

Brice said all distances and times were taken from Google maps and could differ given traffic and road closures.

Working together opens opportunities for grants and growth and there is a significant impact on insurance when properties are within five miles of a fire station.

“I think this is just something that makes sense (but) it won’t be without its woes. Nothing of this magnitude comes easy. This stands to have a huge impact on our community,” he said.

The first question asked after Brice’s presentation was the cost.

Brice said he provided that information to city administrators.

This is an emotional topic and will take courage, fortitude and a good work ethic to make it happen, Brice said.

“We’ve counted on (Rossford) for numerous fires and I think the same could be said in reverse,” he said, and added he did not want to tarnish that relationship.

It was not a proposal or offer, said Perrysburg Township Administrator Jon Eckel on Wednesday.

“I think it will improve the safety of both of our communities,” he said. “Depending on what kind of proposal we develop will tell how much in favor of that I am.

“It has to be right for our citizens … and I haven’t seen that yet but we’re hoping.”

The current Rossford firefighters would not be guaranteed jobs but would be encouraged to apply, Brice said after the meeting, the same as township’s part-time people who want a full-time position.

“They’re really not being treated any differently than our own people,” he said.

Rossford would need to hire 16 personnel but only pay for 14.5 as the battalion chiefs are a shared position between the two departments, Brice said.

There is a possibility of personnel working in both departments.

The city has had difficulties finding enough part-time firefighters to cover all shifts and has had to depend on crews from Perrysburg and Lake townships, Northwood and Perrysburg to staff the station.

Contracting with a neighboring community was one of the options presented to council in January. The estimated cost was $1.6 million and no additional levy funds would be needed.