Town, City Approve Consolidated Fire Department

The Beloit community will now be served by one fire department regardless of municipal boundaries after a five-year intergovernmental agreement to consolidate fire and emergency medical services was approved by the Town of Beloit Board on Monday and the Beloit City Council on Tuesday.

The consolidation responds to the growing need for the communities to keep pace with rising service demand and the increasing cost of apparatus, staffing, and training, while helping both communities recruit and retain qualified personnel.

“This agreement reflects months of diligent work by both communities to build something that will serve Beloit residents well for years to come,” said City Manager Daniel Ortiz Hernandez. “Combining our fire and EMS services means greater depth of coverage, stronger response capacity, and a more sustainable path forward for both departments. I want to thank everyone who put in the work to get us here, and I’m looking forward to what this consolidated department will mean for the community.”

“The approval of this agreement is a significant step for our community,” said Town Administrator John Malizio. “This consolidation lets us continue providing excellent fire and EMS service to our residents while sharing the resources and depth that come with a larger, combined department. We’re grateful to everyone on both sides who worked to make this a true partnership.”

City and Town leadership extend gratitude to the firefighters and emergency medical personnel of both communities whose support and participation made this agreement possible.

The City and Town began formally exploring consolidation on February 2, 2026, when the two municipalities entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. On March 3, 2026, they entered an interim Intergovernmental Agreement establishing interim cost-sharing arrangements while the full consolidation agreement was negotiated.

City and Town staff will spend the coming months working through personnel transition, asset and title transfers, EMS licensing, and related steps required before the January 1, 2027 transition date.