Residents, the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce and local fire agencies are encouraging the city of Dallas make a stronger commitment to fire and EMS service consolidation.
Four citizens of Dallas, JD Shinn, executive director of the chamber, and Scott Breeden, chairman of the Sheridan Fire Board, all spoke in favor of consolidation at the Dallas City Council meeting on Jan. 7.
The city is part of a coalition of cities and fire districts exploring forming a district. Included in the talks are Southwest Polk Rural Fire Protection District, Sheridan Fire and West Valley Fire District. Sheridan and West Valley have already begun the process of consolidation, and Southwest intends to join them in October.
Dallas has agreed to be part of the discussions and approved a “road map” the entities could use to form a district over the next five years.