Closing the Mills Fire Department will put people in danger, the local firefighters' union said in a written statement Wednesday morning.

Union representatives will be at Wednesday's 7 p.m. regularly scheduled town council meeting to "give perspective" on contract negotiations and budget issues.

Last month, the Mills Town Council voted to shutter its fire department after the end of June. Town officials said after the vote that they intend to partner with other Natrona County agencies for fire protection, a move that surprised Casper Fire Department Chief Tom Solberg and other Natrona County firefighters.

Since July of last year, Mills firefighters have responded to 912 calls for service, union representatives said in the Wednesday release.

Union representatives say that, in light of budget constraints, firefighters made offers to help keep the fire department over including assisting with tree maintenance and fire hydrant maintenance to alleviate the public works department.

Firefighters also agreed to forego raises.

 

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