A plan to make a complete merge between the Fullerton and Brea Fire Departments that has been in the making since 2011, has been put to a halt because of decision made by the Brea City Council.

The plan, known as the Joint Powers Authority, aimed to create a more operationally and financially efficient fire service for both cities. But the Brea city council did not see the savings potential, and decided to table the plan at their city council meeting on January 25th.

Residents of both cities spoke put against the JPA, claiming that the decision to fully merge the two departments would take away the power from the citizens and infringe on their rights.

The Fullerton City Council addressed the JPA at their meeting on Tuesday, February 22nd, and decided to bring the plan back to council for further discussion at a date uncertain.

Though a complete Joint Powers Authority between the Fullerton and Brea fire departments did not go thorough, both cities will continue with their Command Staff Consolidation, which began in 2011 and has saved both cities a total of $1.5 million a year since enacted.