JOINT PURCHASE PLAN URGED FOR FIRE UNITS.(Local)

Byline: Michael McKeon Staff writer

The town Emergency Services Committee wants Colonie's 12 volunteer fire departments to start working together as a business.

One of the first steps, said Deputy Fire Coordinator Michael Colligan, is to centralize purchasing for standard equipment such as helmets, gloves, Scott air packs, nozzles and hose.

"It makes no sense for Stanford Heights to go out and buy 20 helmets and for Midway to buy 20 helmets," Colligan said. "It makes more sense to go out and buy 40 helmets and hopefully save some money for the taxpayers."

The Emergency Services Committee, which includes the chiefs of the 12 departments, has …