|
History of the fire department of
Bellevue / Dayton
Established July 1, 2002
The neighboring river communities of Bellevue and Dayton in Northern Campbell County saw the
consolidation of their respective fire departments, effective July 1, 2002. While both individual
departments were strong and prosperous, many enhancements are seen in their future of a new department
incorporating the two.
The idea of a merger of the two fire departments was not new when initiated in the spring of
2000. Merger talks were held on 3 previous occasions dating back to 1975. The premise
of the proposal all along had been to enhance the protection of the citizens in these communities.
Bellevue Fire Chief John Daley and Dayton Chief Denny Lynn initiated talks to research the
feasibility of a newly merged department in the dawn of a new century. With the cities endorsement,
the Chief’s prepared a plan for a new department incorporating the best each respective department
had to offer. That blueprint is what today’s Fire Department of Bellevue- Dayton (FDBD) was
based.
With so much history and excellent working staffs in place, the thought of a merger presented some
negativity toward the project. Through a study commissioned by both city councils with the
Northern Kentucky Area Development District and further research and planning completed by both
departments, a final draft was presented for a proposed merger in the summer of 2001.
 
Pictures take from 15th Annual KFA Conference Program in 1934
A joint public hearing was held in Bellevue on July 16, 2001, as the plan was presented to officials
and citizens. Individual hearings were then held in each city. Discussion at council meetings
focussed on the merger. October 16, 2001, saw the Dayton City Council vote to approve the
proposed consolidation of fire departments and on November 14, the Bellevue City Council followed suit
with the tough but progressive decision. Over 25 years of discussion had become reality. The
fire departments of the cities of Bellevue and Dayton would merge together and become one, effective
July 1, 2002.
While the decision to support a merger was not easy for community leaders and fire department staffs
alike, all saw the promise of a better-equipped and staffed department, enhanced to meet the challenges
of the future. Both financially challenged cities realized immediate cost savings multiplying in
time. Firefighters saw destiny in their hands.
Initial plans call for a full-time 17 person staff with additional paid positions specializing in the
fields of firefighter training and public fire education. A staff of professional volunteer
firefighters will support these employees.
The Fire Department of Bellevue-Dayton was established per inter-local agreement signed by Mayor Jack
Meyer of Bellevue and Dayton Mayor Ron Gunning per council approval. A fireboard was appointed with
2 representatives of city council and one citizen at large from both Bellevue and Dayton to govern the
department.
On February 27, 2002, the Board held its first meeting at the Bellevue council chambers in preparation
for the July 1 implementation. At this meeting Board By-Laws and Employee Personnel Policies were
adopted. The department’s two top administrators were also named in Fire Chief Denny Lynn and
Deputy Fire Chief John Daley.
The initial fireboard members were: Bellevue council members Carol Amend and Ed Riehl, Dayton
council members Dennis Ashford and Don Seifert, Bellevue citizen William Dosch and Dayton citizen Tony
Pfeffer. Ms. Amend was elected chairperson and Mr. Seifert vice-chairperson. Also attending
this first meeting of the FDBD Board were Chiefs Daley and Lynn, Bellevue City Administrator Don Martin,
Bellevue City Clerk Mary Scott, Attorney Frank Warnock, Area Development District representative
Brian Dehner and various members of the Bellevue and Dayton fire departments.
At this first board meeting the fire chief’s reported on many areas, which have been worked on
in preparation of the merge, including the remodeling which was ongoing at the Dayton fire station.
This station was chosen as the firehouse to be used by the FDBD due to its size and accessibility
to the two towns.
The name Fire Department of Bellevue-Dayton (FDBD) was chosen to incorporate the names of both
communities and out of respect and memory of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) members who lost
their lives in the September 11, 2001 attack of the World Trade Center.
  
While the FDBD is still in the formative stage, all associated with the merger see a bright future
for the department. The department is determined to enhance emergency services into the
future while building on the outstanding foundation that each individual department established in
the past.
| 