PORTAGE | Mayor Olga Velazquez reiterated her intent to consolidate the city's 911 dispatch department with that of Porter County's Tuesday night along with a vow to maintain public safety as her first priority.

But some fire officials may not be buying it.

Last week Velazquez said the city intends to consolidate dispatch services and is holding meetings with county 911 officials to work out the details.

"The process was not as I had planned," she said Tuesday night, adding that information about the consolidation had leaked out prematurely to a crowd dominated by firefighters and dispatchers.

"My commitment is to provide the utmost safety to our citizens. To imply compromise on public safety is reckless," she said, adding she plans to meet with officials Thursday and has invited anyone with a concern to e-mail or send it to her in writing.

Mark Vittetoe, president of Firefighters Local 3151, said he had not learned about the consolidation until late last week.

"I can't give a stance just yet because I have no information. Part of the problem is that there has been no communication," he said, adding Velazquez invited him to meet Thursday to discuss the issue.

"Our concerns, No. 1, are firefighter and public safety. That is non-negotiable. We will not compromise firefighter safety for any reason," he said.

Vittetoe, Fire Chief Bill Lundy and Assistant Chief Joe Calhoun said dispatchers are an intricate part of the firefighting system in the city.

"We don't see dispatchers as people just answering the phone," said Calhoun, adding he works with the 12-member department on policy and procedures, and dispatchers attend firefighter training to learn more about the department.

"We need a guarantee that public safety and firefighter safety is the utmost concern," said Lundy, adding he is planning on researching the issue prior to Thursday's meeting where he will outline his department's concerns and seek answers to questions.

"Portage is looked to as leaders in the firefighter dispatch department and we want to continue that leadership," he said.

Police Chief Mark Becker said he also has concerns and questions, but understands the mayor's move because of the financial problems in the city.

"I applaud the mayor for taking all the right steps," he said about her plans to meet and discuss the issues. "Hopefully when the dust settles everyone has a job."