BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON -- Mason-Deerfield fire Lt. Michele Rittel is facing one of the toughest decisions of her professional career.
Like a majority of the 140 employees at the Mason-Deerfield Joint Fire District, Lt. Rittel is grappling with whether to work at the soon-to-be-formed fire department in Mason or the one in Deerfield Township when the district splits Sept. 30.
"It's going to be a tough decision," said Lt. Rittel, who, like many of her colleagues, is undecided. "They'll both be great organizations to work for."
While the direction of new city and township fire departments was sealed Tuesday with the approval of two tax levies to pay for them, the future of firefighters with the district remains a mystery. When Mason and Deerfield Township officials chose to dissolve the district, firefighters were concerned about their job security. With those fears put to rest, the question many firefighters have is: Where do I go?
The new Deerfield Township Fire Department wants to fill eight full-time and 80 to 90 part-time positions, Deerfield Township Fire Chief William Kramer said.
He said the eight full-time and 43 of the part-time positions have already been offered to district employees.
"I don't think we will have any problem filling those positions," Chief Kramer said. "The problem is going to be that some of the quality people from the district will be receiving simultaneous offers from both departments.
"And those people are going to have a tough decision between two quality organizations."
Chief Kramer said he and Mason Fire Chief William Goldfeder have tried to keep their hiring practices in sync, so firefighters considering positions with either department don't feel pressured. He said firefighters have the next few weeks to decide.
Chief Goldfeder could not be reached for comment.
Deerfield Township will open up the application process to firefighters outside the district Aug. 10, Chief Kramer said. Elected officials in Mason and Deerfield Township also will need to iron out details on the division of the district's assets. Chiefs Goldfeder and Kramer met about a week ago to draw up an agreement. Chief Kramer said elected officials are close to an agreement. Warren County Auditor Nick Nelson must approve the division of assets determined by the two governments.
"I think the key to any agreement between the two governments is the passing of the two levies, which occurred Tuesday," Mr. Nelson said. "Now, I think both sides can negotiate with some surety that there is funding, which should make an agreement somewhat easier."
Equipment, vehicles, property, real estate and cash from the current joint district will be divided with Deerfield Township receiving 55 percent of all assets and Mason receiving 45 percent. Mr. Nelson said the distribution ratio is based on tax valuations. Under the proposal, Deerfield Township will retain possession of the stations at 3378 Townsley Drive and 8950 Snider Road, while Mason will keep the station at 135 Mason-Montgomery Road, Chief Kramer said.
