ELMA, NY - Volunteer firefighters from all over Western New York met at the Jamison Fire Volunteer Fire Company to express their opinions for and against Erie County Comptroller Mark Polancarzs' plan to consolidate fire companies.

More than 100 people showed up to the public meeting held by Republicans in the Erie County legislature. Assemblywoman Jane Corwin and Erie County Comptroller Mark Polancarz were also in attendance.

The meeting offered firefighters a chance to voice their opinion about a report recently released by the comptroller's office, suggesting that the idea of consolidating fire companies should be considered, in an effort to save taxpayer dollars and eliminate duplication of services.

Volunteer firefighters we talked to say they are open to the idea of consolidation but would like it to be done on their terms and amongst local departments, rather than by a politician.

The comptroller's report addresses costs associated with volunteer fire departments and redundancy among companies but does not talk about response times or safety concerns. Polancarz says, moving to all paid departments in not the answer but consolidation would save taxpayer dollars and help companies with service needs.

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