Article: Fire officials seek savings in mergers. (Originated from Knight-Ridder Newspapers)

SAN JOSE, Calif. _ At first glance, a merger between the Fremont Fire Department and Menlo Park Fire Protection District sounds like a far-fetched idea. Why would two successful departments want to join forces across a bay, 1.5-mile bridge and county line? 
But the proposal being studied, fire officials say, is not that unusual. In fact, fire chiefs throughout the country are sounding more like innovative MBAs trying to head successful companies as they talk consolidations, mergers and contracts. 
As a result, smaller departments are being extinguished in favor of faster, leaner and more competitive agencies. 
While the movement has met some resistance from longtime ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!