PORT TOWNSEND –Commissioners unanimously approved a merger between the Chimacum and Cape George fire districts during a joint meeting held Wednesday.

If approved by Jefferson County commissioners and Cape George voters, the merger would create one larger fire district that would be on budgetary par with the Port Townsend Fire Department.

The proposed merger is another step toward unifying three East Jefferson County fire and rescue departments, including the Port Townsend Fire Department, into one entity spanning from Chimacum to Port Townsend.

The Port Townsend Fire Department consolidated with the Cape George and Chimacum departments at the beginning of 2005.

However, consolidation differs from merger in that the fire districts retain their autonomy.

With a complete merger, departments operate from one budget and under one command structure, avoiding duplication of services.

“I think that it’s inevitable to happen,” said Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Boggs of Chimacum.

“The small fire districts will not be able to survive without consolidation and merger.”

Board, voters must OK plan

To complete a merger of two districts into one, fire district commissioners need consent from the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners.

After that, District 6 (Cape George) voters will be asked to approve the merger during the Nov. 8 general election.

“All districts will become more efficient by sharing responsibilities,” Boggs said.

“We hope to be able to cut down on all the apparatus that we own, and we are having more people on the street at any time.”