The cities of Bethel, Nowthen, Oak Grove, Ramsey and St Francis have been formally meeting as a study group since October of 2011 researching the feasibility of joining or sharing fire services. In 2013 the study group applied and was awarded a grant in the amount of $29,494 from the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office to be used for hiring a consultant to complete an indepth feasibility Study of a five city shared fire service. It should be noted that there was an aproximately 11% match required for the grant by cities involved. That match was covered by staff and councilmembers time spent while being involved in the preparation of the study.

The study group hired Emergency Services Consulting International to complete the Feasibility Study. That study is attached to this case. 

Option #1:  Continue efforts towards a shared fire service.

Option #2:  Discontinue efforts towards a shared fire service.