VOTE: Do You Favor a Shaker-UH Fire Department Merger?

Shaker Heights and University Heights have fire stations within one mile of each other, but should they merge departments?

Officials from both cities await a report that will gauge . North Carolina-based Emergency Services Consulting International , now the firm will determine whether a merger would be financially and operationally possible. ESCI Senior Vice President of Operations Philip Kouwe said the report should be finished some time this summer.

In the meantime, what do you think? Could and University Heights combine to deliver services that would lower costs and keep residents safe?

Vote in our poll, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section. Don't forget to check back and see what your neighbors think about the idea.