Fire departments may merge training operations

Fire departments in North Las Vegas and Las Vegas are looking to consolidate firefighter training operations to improve efficiency and save money.

The departments next week will seek approval from their respective city councils to join their training divisions under a shared assistant chief.

Tough economic times for both city governments "decimated" the divisions, North Las Vegas Fire Chief Al Gillespie said.

"We're pretty bare. But we thought if we combined through one leader, we could gain some real synergy."

The move is not necessarily a step toward entire consolidation of the two fire departments -- an idea some have floated -- Gillespie said.

But "it behooves us public officials to look at all opportunities to provide better services to the community."

If the idea is approved by both councils, Tim Sendelbach, North Las Vegas Fire Department's coordinator for insurance services, will be asked to lead the joint training division, Gillespie said. His salary would be $100,393 plus benefits. Las Vegas would pay $30,000 of the salary.

"It was good business sense to pay $30,000 to gain an assistant chief," Las Vegas Fire Chief Mike Meyers said.

The departments will save money by having one training leader instead of two, Gillespie said.

The position in North Las Vegas is vacant, he said. Las Vegas has someone overseeing its division who also has multiple other responsibilities.

The departments also will save by buying training supplies in greater bulk.

Fire officials said they didn't know exactly how much money will be saved from the move.

"Wherever it makes sense, we have to look at it to save money and build efficiency," Meyers said.

The departments already use the same dispatch system, run joint academies and regularly train at the Las Vegas fire training center on Mojave and Bonanza roads.

The Las Vegas Fire Department employs about 525 firefighters. The North Las Vegas Fire Department employs 165.

The two cities in recent months have been exploring ways to save money by sharing services in several areas including purchasing, detention center support services, workers' compensation administration, radio maintenance, fire marshal duties and traffic operations.

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.