I am a long time advocate of consolidation as a way of increasing both efficiency and effectiveness of public services. Given the challenges facing local governments now is the time to think boldly.

I propose that we form a MidPeninsula Fire Protection District that would provide fire protection and emergency services to Palo Alto, Stanford, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton and adjacent unincorporated areas. At some later stage contiguous jurisdictions both north and south would be invited to join this fire district. I am confident that such an agency could both increase the current service levels and decrease the cost per citizen of these services.

What is needed? Leadership by elected officials who are willing to look across the county line, creative thinking by the fire professionals, advocacy by concerned tax payers and information from the press on the pros and cons of such an undertaking.