WEST FARGO (KFGO) - The mostly volunteer West Fargo Fire Dept. is moving to a mix of full-time and volunteers.
Starting the first of the new year, the department, which is run by an association with a board of directors, plans to transition to a 58-member dept. with 14 full-time employees and 44 volunteers with the southside station staffed throughout the day, Monday through Sunday.
The city pays about $750,000 a year for fire protection. Mayor Rich Mattern says that amount would likely increase to more than 1-million with the hybrid dept. He's supporting the upgrade calling it a "win win" for the city and the dept.
The city has scheduled an open house on May 31 at the Central Fire Station to provide more information.
