Automatic Aid Agreement Finalized Between St. Joseph, Benton Township For Fires

sjpublicsafety
sjpublicsafety

The mutual aid agreement between St. Joseph Public Safety and the Benton Township Fire Department is being upgraded. The St. Joseph city commission this week approved an automatic aid agreement after hearing from Public Safety Supervisor Jeremy Connell about the proposed change.

“If either community were dispatched out to a structure fire, the partnering community would also be dispatched at the exact same time,” explained Connell. He adds it’s different than mutual aid.

“When we go to a structure fire, we get there and then have to assess if we need more help and then call for it.”

He says the city also has an automatic aid agreement with Lincoln Charter Township, adding it’s worked out well. Benton Township had previously agreed to the automatic aid agreement.