Some changes are coming to the Lakeville Fire Department.

The department will change over from a volunteer staff to a full-time staff, marking the first time in the history of Union Township that it will have a full-time fire department. Lakeville Fire Chief Andy Willett tells WSBT this is a huge improvement for the community, allowing for faster response times during emergencies.

A dispute still remains between North and Union Township regarding ambulance service equipment, but Chief Willett says safety remains the department’s number one priority.