|
Updated: 8:57 PM Apr 15, 2008
Firefighters Become Police Officers?
One local township wants to "cross-train" their police officers and firefighters to learn each other's skills Posted: 6:28 PM Apr 15, 2008Reporter: Lauren Zakalik Email Address: lauren.zakalik@wilx.com |
|
The line between firefighter, police officer and EMT will soon become a bit more blurred in Leoni Township.
"We are moving toward a public safety department in Leoni Township," says township supervisor Kip Ballast.
He says that means police and fire departments will eventually become one, with everyone trained to respond to fire, police and ambulance emergencies.
At the expense of the township, they've offered to "cross-train" existing police officers and firefighters in each other's areas.
Police officers are on board. Firefighters, however, are not.
"It's so different being a firefighter and police officer, like night and day," explains firefighter Tony Edging. "As far as becoming a police officer, I'm not interested. I do what I do as a firefighter because I like it."
The township says it won't force anyone to cross-train, but through attrition, they say eventually everyone will be become trained in all disciplines.
"We can provide additional services with about the same about of money by having people cross train," Ballast says.
But until firefighters want to become police officers too, the transition to a public safety department will be slow.
| WILX Poll |
| Business News |
| Health News From MSNBC |
| AP Videos |
|
|









