FORT WAYNE — Leaders from five fire services outlined a plan to consolidate services across unincorporated Allen County during the first of three public hearings on a proposed unified district.
The plan, as outlined Monday, Feb. 23, would combine the Northeast Allen County Fire Protection District, Northwest Allen County Fire Protection District, West Central Allen County Fire Protection District, Southwest Allen County Fire Protection District and the East Central Fire Territory into a single fire protection district, with a target launch date of Jan. 1, 2027.
The transition would use a territory structure to allow an orderly consolidation of assets and governance. During 2026, existing service levels, staffing, tax levies and adopted budgets would remain unchanged while agencies operate under an expanded legal framework designed to prepare for full unification…