4 Cities Study Possibility of Consolidating Fire Services

City officials will study the possibility of consolidating fire services in four central Orange County cities, seeking lower costs while maintaining service levels.

The study, examining service in Westminster, Buena Park, Stanton and Garden Grove, will begin later this month. Garden Grove is the only city with its own department; the three other cities receive services under contracts with the Orange County Fire Authority.

Last year, Garden Grove officials sought information about contracting with the fire authority, but the county never completed a requested study.

Garden Grove will pay the bulk of the estimated $40,000 fee for the study, with Buena Park contributing about $5,000 and Westminster contributing $1,500. Stanton’s City Council last year declined to contribute funds for the study. Garden Grove City Manager George Tindall said Stanton will be included in the study because of its proximity to the other cities.

The study is expected to take about four months.