Differing orientations, training requirements and skills necessary in a metropolitan environment were reasons often cited that the public safety officer, a combined police and fire officer, would not be appropriate for Atlanta or Fulton County. Altenatively, every official interviewed believes that consolidation of some fire services and some police services would result in better service, most specifically better respnnse times for both services in unincorporated Fulton County. Of these most frequently named activities, Page 7 consolidation of communications capabilities met with the greatest resistance by Atlanta officials. Intuitively it makes sense to consolidate an equipment intensive operation like communications. However, administrators from both governments are not ready to give up control of such operation.
Organized labor becomes a management consideration with consolidation of field operations.
While there is no union activity among Fulton firefighters or police officials, those in Atlanta do have the option of belonging to a union. Rather, parity is the most immediate personnel concern given consolidation. Financial Implications Financial savings from consolidation of services is not expected by many officials because of additional costs associated with parity of personnel and service delivery, growth, and staging the Olympics, particularly in the short-term. Nevertheless, officials feel that operations come more efficient and effective with functional consolidation of public safety services. Also, many noted that costs for these services will be increasing in the future for both governments due to growth in commercial and residential properties, increased training requirements, facility needs, and staffing needs.