QUINCY - The City of Quincy hired a consulting firm to determine if the city should begin operating its own fire department.

The city agreed this week to a $33,255 contract with Emergency Services Consulting International, an Oregon-based company, to study solutions to provide fire services.

The city has agreed to a one-year extension with Grant County Fire District 3 but both parties are studying different ways to pay for fire services.

The study begins April 12 and is estimated to completed in mid-July when the city will review a final report of the study.

The consulting firm will begin gathering background information on the fire district and city, including demographics, economic development, financial data and comprehensive plan documents.

Consultants will then interview key personnel including city and fire officials and develop a risk profile for Quincy.

The contract also includes an evaluation of fire district 3 to improve the district.

The consulting firm will present final options for the city in July, including any necessary policy action, outlines of timelines and recommendations, and the process for receiving funding.