DEARBORN — Last month during his state of the city addresses, Mayor Jack O’Reilly discussed plans of possibly merging the Dearborn Fire Department with neighboring city Melvindale’s Fire Department. 

Now that merge seems to be almost a done deal, according to Melvindale and is expected to be finalized by May. The move is expected to save money for both cities, who in recent years have faced deficits and have been looking to cut down on their budgeting, which includes public services.

The two cities have been in talks for months, and at one point scrapped the entire proposal when the two unions couldn’t come to an agreement regarding seniority. According to the Dearborn Press and Guide, the two departments have agreed to base seniority on a combination of hire in dates and time in their rank. There are however still six Melvindale firefighters who are in the pension system, but Dearborn is not expected to handle those individual cases.

Under the new merger, Dearborn Fire Chief Joseph Murray, who became head of the Department in 2012, will still be expected to be the chief of the merged department. Meanwhile Melvindale Fire Chief Steven Densmore would be the deputy chief of the merged department. 

If the merger is successful, it may not end there. Mayor Jack O’Reilly had also discussed the possibilities of merging fire departments with Allen Park as well. Complications may arise with that city however, since they’ve been under a state appointed emergency financial  manager since last fall.