ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- A fire department is at the core of a community. But in the Syracuse area, one town supervisor says it may be time for some of them to change.

"A lot of these fire districts were set up in the early 1900s and what was right back then isn't what's right for proper administration and training today," said Van Buren Supervisor Claude Sykes.

A study recently commissioned by Van Buren leaders suggests ways for the town's four departments to improve efficiency by sharing resources.

At station two in Baldwinsville, where village and Lakeside crews have been working together for five years, officials say the concept is nothing new.

"We've been sharing services out of that station since 2004. Not until the study came out did anybody realize what we've been accomplishing down at that fire station," said Lakeside Fire Chief Timothy Wolsey.

But Sykes says the study goes well beyond suggestions for cooperation among Baldwinsville, Lakeside and also Memphis and Warners.

"He made specific recommendations that we should be looking at a merger of all of the fire departments in a five township geographical area," Sykes said.

Sykes says he's intrigued by the concept of a regional department comprising Van Buren, Camillus, Geddes, Eldbridge and Lysander. But one fire chief says the move is too much, too soon.

"We have to first be able to consolidate with one another within our township before we start trying to consolidate outside of our township," said Warners Fire Chief Brian Kiteveles.

If the towns do want to pursue a regional fire department, Sykes says talks should be facilitated by the county. County leaders say they're open to that conversation.

Sykes says he's expecting feedback from area fire officials within a couple of weeks. After that, he says he plans to set up a meeting with Onondaga County leaders.