ODESSA, N.Y. (WENY) -- A plan is under consideration for six municipalities in the Odessa area to become part of a joint fire district.  Including the Village of Odessa, the Town of Catherine, the Town of Cayuta, the Town of Hector, the Town of Montour, and the Town of Veteran, the joint fire district would be called the Odessa Area Fire District.

"It's something that's been in the works for several years. The company actually attempted it many years ago, but it was voted down and we felt that it now was a good time for us to try to do this again," said Chief Mahnke.

As it stands now, the Village of Odessa municipal Fire Department is already contracted to specific areas.  Under the joint fire district, the areas served would be the same, but the instead of paying a contract fee, it would be included in taxes, like any other fire district.  In a joint meeting, the village and town boards voted to hold a public meeting to explore this option.

"So in a current model, the only people that have a say is village residents," said Chief Adam Mahnke, from the Odessa Fire Department.  "The village is approximately 500 people. We provide fire protection and EMS services to approximately 5,000 people and several acres of farmland and two state highways. By moving to the fire district, it allows residents from outside the village to have a voice in our operations. They can run for fire commissioner, they can be part of that process."

The public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18th, at 6 p.m.  It will happen in the Odessa Montour High School Auditorium.  The public will have a chance to voice their opinions on the matter, and then the municipality boards will vote and make their decision.