The merger is expected to be announced by the end of next month, once the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors votes on it. "We are expecting that they will say yes," Duncan said.

Once the merger takes place, County Fire Chief Ben Lopes will head the Saratoga Fire Department. Duncan, who retired in March, has been working in an interim position for the fire department.

Ron Vega, currently the assistant fire chief for the Saratoga Fire Department, will take charge of the paramedic program for the county fire department.

"We'll have a battalion chief on duty 40 hours a week at the Saratoga Fire Station," Duncan said.

He said that a merger between the two entities had been discussed for decades but the current process started in 2001.

"Saratoga residents will not feel the effects of the merger. In fact, if anything, there might be a better level of service in case of a big emergency," he said.

Duncan said that a merger would help save thousands of dollars when it comes to equipment purchases.

The 22 employees of the Saratoga Fire Department also stand to get a better deal. "Their retirement system is better. They will make more money sooner when they retire," Duncan said.

He insisted that none of the fire department's hometown charm would disappear.

"We have a commitment from the county fire staff that they will try their best to integrate themselves into the community," said Duncan.

Lopes said the merger would make possible the best use of fire-fighting resources in the area.

"The demand on service is greater than ever. There is a need for more depth," Lopes said. "The community will be better served."

He said that the merger with Saratoga Fire Department has taken longer than expected because it has a different system of governance.

Lopes said that the next three years would work like a trial period.

"If this works well, the firefighters of the Saratoga Fire Department will become employees of the county fire department by December 2008," said Duncan. "The employees union has been on board with us every step of the way."

Vega, who is moving to a different assignment after working at the Saratoga Fire Department for 23 years, said that he would miss Saratoga dearly.

"This is where I started. Your first employer is very close to your heart in the long term," Vega said.