DARIEN — The Walworth, Darien and Sharon fire & EMS departments on Monday began operations of shared firefighter/paramedic service.

Following approval in a November referendum, the three departments and six municipalities developed a plan to work together and upgrade services to Paramedic level and staff Firefighter/Paramedics for service 24-hours-a-day and seven-days-a-week.

This two-person crew, along with the dedicated paid-on-call staff that has been serving their communities for decades, will respond to calls for assistance.

“Thanks to our communities that strongly supported last fall’s referendum to fund this program,” read a post on the Sharon Fire and Rescue Facebook page. “Stay safe and we are ready to serve.”