Riverside Fire District backs out of merger with SAFER, begins search for new chief [Video]

ROTHSCHILD, Wis. (WSAW) – Riverside Fire District is saying not today. The merger between Riverside and South Area Fire Emergency Response (SAFER) is not moving forward.

Earlier this month Riverside backed out of a potential merger with SAFER, telling NewsChannel 7 the timing isn’t right. So what’s next?

A source on the phone tells us SAFER wanted to continue talks about a potential merger. Since this merger isn’t happening this doesn’t mean Riverside and SAFER won’t work together in the future. The two fire departments already work together without a legal document.

“In the leadership roles currently, they are saying, ‘Hey, we want to figure out ways to have hybrid approaches. Keep that community-type dynamic of working together, and being strong neighbors.’ That’s so critical and important because we rely on them all the time,” Rothschild Village Administrator Ryan VanDeWalle said.

However, Riverside says they are still open to a …