The need to order new radios has dialed up the urgency surrounding the planned consolidation of Columbia, Pa. borough’s three fire departments. But it has also brought specifics about the consolidation— including whether all three departments will participate— into question.

In order to comply with the Lancaster County-Wide Communications’ time frame for upgrading the emergency communication system, the borough and other local municipalities must buy new radios for first responders. The goal is to have a system that is more integrated and effective.

But in Columbia, the cost and number of radios needed is under debate because of the proposed merging of Susquehanna Fire and Rescue Company, Columbia No. 1 Fire Department and Columbia Consolidated Fire Department.

Columbia Borough Fire Chief Scott Ryno is with Columbia No. 1. He presented two options for radios to council on June 9. The first was for the current, three-department structure and would cost $160,638. The second was for the proposed streamlined, single department and would save the borough $40,172 because fewer units would be necessary.

“As we sit here tonight, there’s three entities …we’re not consolidated,” Ryno said.

Consolidation negotiations have been in process for five years.

“Good things take time,” Ryno said.

Henry Reese, Susquehanna Fire and Rescue Company’s treasurer, has been part of the talks. So far, he said, the three departments have agreed on a name and a website. They have also drafted bylaws, standardized operating guidelines and drawn up a three-year budget.

“We’re now at a point where (what’s needed) is a voting of the membership,” he said.

Two departments, Susquehanna Fire and Rescue and Columbia No. 1, have contributed money so that lawyers can be paid to draw up formal merger plans, signaling that they are willing to move forward, Reese said.

But Jim Ciccocioppi, administrative chairman of the Columbia borough fire department consolidation committee, said the Columbia Consolidated Fire Department favors purchasing more radios. The “consolidation has not taken place, a vote has not gone through,” he said.

Council members seemed taken aback by the clash among the companies.

Council member Kelly Murphy said the borough had a letter from each of the three companies stating its intent to pursue consolidation. He asked Ciccocioppi what further information Columbia Consolidated needed to move forward.

The “radios are triggering real questions about where to go from here,” he said, adding that Columbia Consolidated expects to be treated as one third and get its share of the radios.

Columbia Consolidated and the other two departments have, for more than 10 years, been contributing $6,000 annually to a fire department radio escrow fund. The balance of the fund, according to the letter about the proposed radio purchase, is now $249,792.

Ciccocioppi also said there has been “discussion and upset about closing the uptown station” that houses Columbia Consolidated.

If the three companies do consolidate, Susquehanna Fire and Rescue, at 10th and Manor streets, would remain open, Mayor Leo Lutz said.

Ciccocioppi cited concerns about response times. Ryno countered that a recent study “clearly indicates adequate (response to an incident) from any location.” He also said that the borough is 2.2 square miles and, with lights and sirens, it’s possible to be “anywhere in minutes.”

Ryno said that Columbia No. 1 currently responds to the most calls.

Council member Mary Barninger, who chairs the public safety committee, said, regarding Ciccocioppi’s remarks, “I’m getting the feeling this isn’t just reluctance but a 180.”

Barry Ford, council’s vice-president, chaired the meeting in President Mike Beury’s absence. Ford said council “will make the decision on the 23rd.”