03/12/2008 10:43 PM ET

OCEAN CITY, Md. - Ocean City Volunteer Fire Chief Chris Larmore responded to the town council's offer for him to take over all fire services with a major request that would eliminate the paid fire-fighting department from the career services.

On Feb. 19 the council voted 4 - 3 to formally offer Larmore the position on the condition that he step down as chief of the volunteer chief. In a press statement released on Wednesday, Larmore offered an alternative to the town's fire services as a provision to accept the council's request.

The release said, "Under the plan, the OCVFC would assume all responsibility for firefighting in the city, while the paid EMS division would provide emergency medical services.  As always, the fire company would remain answerable to the town government on budgetary matters, and would add sufficient staffing to maintain round-the-clock firefighting coverage for the city."

Larmore said the department has tried to collaborate with the paid division, but failed.

"The volunteers and myself have done everything humanly possible to work with the union and the volunteers. At this point we feel it would be in everyone's best interest to let the respective parties focus what they are each the best at," Larmore said.

Under the proposal, Larmore would be in charge of all fire calls for the town. The volunteers would be the primary providers for the calls, with some paid members.

Right now the members of the paid division are cross-trained to handle medical calls as well. Larmore said under his watch, the people who fight fires will only deal with fires.

"This actually saves tax dollars because fire fighter paramedics have a salary that is much higher than employers who are strictly fire fighter EMTs. Therefore we would be saving money," Larmore explained.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Ocean City EMS director Joe Theobald said he had not seen a copy of the proposal. He said the council should tread carefully through the information before making any commitments.

"Whatever the recommendation is from the fire company will certainly have to be studied and analyzed to see how that would impact service within the community. Right now the Fire and EMS division provides both rolls whether it be fire or medical related. Until we have time to sit and look and that and be able to tell the community there won't be a decrease in service, it's hard to tell," Theobald said.

The mayor and town council will have a final vote on whether to accept or decline the proposal from the OCVFD.