STATEHOUSE (March 18, 2016)—State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) has invited various town council members from across his district to engage in a conversation about the possibility of forming a fire territory that would comprise of the towns and townships within House District 15.
Under Indiana Code, a fire territory is formed when two or more firefighting entities choose to combine their services and operations. Slager said this is mainly done for cost-saving purposes and service enhancements for agencies that are in close proximity to one another.
“The goal of this meeting is simply to discuss and consider the policy benefits and tax consequences of our decision while keeping public safety our paramount concern,” Slager said.
Fire territories are not to be mistaken for fire districts, in which townships and municipalities cede authority and control of fire services to their county’s administration. Fire territories are created when the townships or municipalities involved pass identical ordinances or resolutions acknowledging their collective participation in and commitment to the entire fire territory.
The joint meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on March 23 in the Schererville Town Hall.
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Rep. Slager (R-Schererville) represents portions of Lake County. Rep. Slager serves on the Ways and Means Committee and the Public Health Committee.
