The proposed strategy would preserve firefighter seniority earned in Melvindale when determining management positions, with the Dearborn Fire Chief running the consolidated department and the Melvindale fire chief assuming the deputy chief role.

Days before the vote, the commissioners were not decided.

After the merger was denied Tuesday, Herb thanked everyone who worked on the proposed plan and said he knows many woke up at night thinking about this decision.

There has been an ongoing plan that brings all the departments together to be the Indianapolis FD.

So far 2 departments have elected to merge and have done so at this time.

There is always somebody there," leading to a faster response time.