OFFICERS ARE IDENTIFIED AS PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS (PSO'S), AND ARE EQUIPPED TO PERFORM BOTH POLICE AND FIRE FUNCTIONS. PSO'S CARRY FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, AIR PACKS, AND FIRST AID KITS WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES. THE DECISION WAS MADE TO CONSOLIDATE FUNCTIONS IN AIKEN IN 1970. AT THAT TIME, THE DEPARTMENT WAS STRUCTURED INTO FIVE DIVISIONS INCLUDING FIRE SUPPRESSION, PATROL, MAINTENANCE AND PURCHASING, FIRE PREVENTION, AND INVESTIGATIVE AND RECORDS. FROM A SITUATION IN WHICH THE DEPARTMENT HAD 15 FIRE AND 24 POLICE OFFICERS, THE CITY'S 2 DISTRICTS NOW HAVE AVAILABLE 39 CROSS-TRAINED PSO'S. A COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FEATURING RADIO MONITORS AND A TELEPHONE ALERT SYSTEM FACTORS LARGELY IN CONSOLIDATION SUCCESS. THE CRIME CLEARANCE RATE WAS IMPROVED TO 42 PERCENT SINCE THE TRANSITION. A SIMILAR PROGRAM WAS INITIATED IN NORTH AUGUSTA IN 1975. THE CITY NOW EMPLOYS 40 PSO'S WITH SATISFACTORY RESULTS. THE MOVE FROM SEGMENTED DEPARTMENTS TO ONE UNITED PUBLIC SAFETY FUNCTION HAS ALLOWED EMPLOYMENT TO BE REDUCED BY THREE POSITIONS IN THE FIRE DIVISION. IN ADDITION, PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES HAS INCREASED. CONSOLIDATION BEGAN IN PORT ROYAL IN 1977. IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF A TOWN PREVIOUSLY PROTECTED BY VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS ONLY. POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN CONSIDERING CONSOLIDATION INCLUDE PLANNING, PERSONNEL, TRAINING, COMMUNICATION, AND TIME REQUIREMENTS. IT IS MANDATORY THAT MANAGEMENT ASSESS THE NEEDS OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND OF THE CITIZENS ACCURATELY FOR CONSOLIDATION TO BE PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE PROVIDED IN THE ARTICLE. (LWM)