The city of Bridgeport is one step closer to finalizing their combination fire department.  Monday night the city council unanimously approved the first reading to restructure their volunteer fire department within their paid fire department. 

Officials say population growth contributed to the decision.  Plus, they hope it will encourage declining volunteerism, saying volunteer standards are at the same level as paid firefighter standards.

City council hopes to finalize the department in two weeks, but say the combination department probably won't go into effect until next year.