(WSBT) Commissioners in Elkhart County are trying to find ways to save money in their budgets, and one idea is merging five area departments into one.

Osolo, Concord, Baugo, and Cleveland Townships would merge together with the Elkhart City Fire Department.

But fire officials say this plan may save money, but it could cost you your safety.

The idea to consolidate those five departments in Elkhart County, in some fashion, is just being discussed right now.

There's still a lot of things to consider before making any kind of decision. So far only one meeting has been held to look into it.

“You have multiple fire departments right now, with different jurisdictions. Is that the most sensible way to run things?” asked Kyle Hannon of the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce. “I think consolidation might be a good way to go with this. And again it’s really discussion stage at this point. Like I said it may turn out that things are working just fine, right now."

Some departments affected by the proposal would like to hear more about it and get more input before they reach any kind of consensus.

“Right now, it’s just basically dialogue, just talking and pushing numbers around and statistics around,” said Chief Jerry Miller of the Osolo Township Fire Department. “Bottom line is what's best for the people out in our townships and our territories."

Other affected departments have a different take on the idea.

“I’m not sure that the level of service, if this eventuality were to come into play, I am not sure this level of service to the outlying townships will be the same as it would be here in the city,” said Asst. Chief Shaun Edgerton of the Elkhart Fire Department. “But those are all things that are going to have to be hashed out."

“Right now we don't really see a benefit to doing this,” explained Capt. Tim Graves of the Baugo Township Fire Department. “We are not really in support of it, right now. Talking with the trustee, we can't find enough good to proceed with it."

County leaders plan to meet with the departments again on Monday, the second of many planned meetings on the possible merger.