Editorial: Consider a contract before merging with Central Pierce

Talks about a possible merger between Central Pierce Fire & Rescue and Puyallup’s fire department started only a short time ago and have progressed rapidly.

Next week the city council will look at a proposal that would put the future of the two departments up to voters in November. However, there are still a lot of questions that need answering and a lot of details to work out. In the meantime, council will form a study committee. This week the city council discussed forming a committee to look into the pros and cons of the merger, but have yet to form one.

Central promises no Puyallup firefighters would lose their jobs. All the same, Puyallup is larger than most cities that merge into neighboring fire districts and has had an established fire department for more than 100 years. A decision like this shouldn’t be made in haste and yet it feels like it is being treated with a sense of urgency.

Puyallup might consider following Sumner’s example and form a contract with Central to see how the relationship fits. It would give both departments the chance to work out any kinks and at the end of the contract they could always part ways or decide to cement the partnership.