We all need to applaud SeaTac Mayor Gene Fisher's leadership in organizing and addressing firefighters, union members, fire chiefs, elected officials and citizens regarding the necessity for the consolidation of services.

Prior to an informative presentation by fire services consolidation consultants, Mayor Fisher told a packed council chamber, in no uncertain terms, "elected officials can no longer tolerate turf protection and empire building than they can racism."

He stated that "the world has changed, as we must, after 9/11, to a regional approach of public protection; there are federal government programs mandating transformation."

Mayor Fisher was on target when he acknowledged the need for consolidating fire marshals, public educational officers, fire chiefs, fire investigators, maintenance personnel, and fire stations, some only one-half mile apart.

Savings would be channeled into more firefighters and police for better protection. He warned elected officials "if they do not consolidate for better protection, the citizens would demand it."

I can only hope that elected officials from neighboring cities will seize this opportunity to consolidate fire services.

Joseph Dixon

SeaTac