Firefighters for Pontiac protest plan to combine

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP (AP) -- Pontiac firefighters are picketing against a plan by the city's emergency financial manager to combine their department with another nearby community's department. The protest took place Tuesday outside the Waterford Township Fire Department in suburban Detroit. A plan announced earlier by Lou Schimmel would make Pontiac's fire department part of the Waterford Township department. The Oakland Press of Pontiac and the Detroit Free Press report it's been proposed as a way to save $3 million. Schimmel says firefighters have until Friday to approve a proposal for changes. Under the plan, Star EMS also would hire former Pontiac workers to handle emergency medical services. This summer, the Pontiac Police Department closed, making way for the Oakland County sheriff to take over law enforcement under a plan from Pontiac's former emergency manager. Published: Thu, Dec 8, 2011