A public hearing is scheduled for tonight regarding a proposal to consolidate the Lysander and Baldwinsville fire departments. The goal is to expand the Lysander Fire District which would oversee both departments. The two fire protection districts which currently oversee the Baldwinsville Fire Department in the towns of Lysander and Van Buren would be eliminated. YNN's Brad Vivacqua joins us now from Baldwinsville Station 1, where the public hearing will take place tonight.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. -- This merger has been proposed as a way to gain more volunteer firefighters, share equipment, and merge services between the Baldwinsville and Lysander departments.

Tonight people living in both the towns of Lysander and Van Buren are encouraged to come learn more about the merger and speak out. The move would eliminate the current Smoky Hollow and Northern Fire Protection Districts.

Many believe extending the Lysander district, which would be called the new North West Fire District, would help improve fire protection throughout both towns. Some people may have questions regarding their fire protection and how a merger would impact their taxes.

The town supervisor says this is something the fire officials proposed to be more efficient.

Lysander Town Supervisor John Salisbury said, "The fire companies in the town of Lysander banded together probably a year and a half ago and had a complete study done of all their fire departments and from that there were recommendations on certain consolidations and this is just the beginning of it."

Following tonight's public hearing, both town boards would have to approve of the consolidation measure. If approved, the measure wouldn't take effect until next year.

If you're interested in attending tonight's public hearing it will take place tonight at 7 p.m. at Baldwinsville Station 1 at 7911 Crego Road in Baldwinsville.