Fire Dist. 3 urges contract with Quincy

QUINCY - Grant County Fire District 3 commissioners are hoping the City of Quincy will move forward with extending the agreement for fire services.

On Tuesday, commissioners met with the city Contract Negotiating Committee and proposed continuing providing fire and Emergency Medical Services to Quincy, following the suggested fee recommended by Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI).

Several months ago, Quincy contracted with ESCI for more than $33,000 to perform a comprehensive study on fire protection options for the city, including continued service from District 3 and operating its own fire department. The top recommendation was to stay with District 3, costing $482,000 in 2013, according to a letter from District 3 commissioners to Quincy. According to the study, this will be less than the amount it would cost the city to operate its own fire department, saving the city about $2 million in start up and facility costs alone.

District 3 also offered to extend the 2013 fee to 2014 and follow the consultants recommended formula for adjusting the contract for future years.

"The district is well run and provides a good value for the services it provides to its constituents, including Quincy," ESCI stated in the study. "The daytime staff at Grant 3 provides a higher level of service to Quincy during the most difficult time to provide service than Quincy can afford as a stand-alone fire department."

Last week, the fire services negotiations committee recommended the city resume negotiations with the fire district, following a letter from Mayor Jim Hemberry advising District 3 the city would pursue its own department. The letter was issued prior to District 3 commissioners discussing the ESCI study.

"We urge the Quincy City Council to base their decision on the recommendation of the experts at ESCI, one of the most respected fire service consulting groups in the Western U.S. and Canada," commissioners wrote to the city. "We are convinced that continuing the partnership between the City of Quincy and Grant County Fire District 3 is in the best interest of the citizens of Quincy and the entire Quincy Valley."