Some police officers take over firefighting duties in St. Joe, Michigan

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. -- Police officers fighting fires? That's what will happen in St. Joseph, Michigan.

The police and fire departments of St. Joseph have officially merged.

New contracts began and eight police officers now carry fire fighting equipment in the trunk of their squad cars.

Two full-time firefighters will stay at the fire station to drive the fire truck out if it's needed.

The city told ABC 57 News that the movie just made sense.

"It's excellent because the police officers are usually the first ones on the scene anyways because they're out on patrol," Mark Clapp, Director of Public Safety said.

Over the winter, the rest of St. Joseph's 17 officers will also be trained as firefighters.