Fire Station No. 7 will remain operational for at least another four months.

On the surface, that decision by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen doesn’t seem like a major step. But in the overall picture concerning what has been a contentious topic between Mayor George Flaggs Jr. and Fire Chief Charles Atkins involving firefighter overtime and Atkins’ management of the fire department, that decision speaks volumes, and marks an improved relationship between the mayor and the chief, as both men realized they needed to find common ground.

The discussion in September over closing No. 7 marked the height of the running dispute between the mayor and the chief over the fire department, when Flaggs gave Atkins an ultimatum to fix firefighter overtime or close the station. Atkins compromised by parking a pumper at Central Fire Station and reassign the firefighters from that truck, and Flaggs accepted.

That compromise, combined with other management changes in the department, has been successful.

Firefighter overtime so far this fiscal year has been reduced by 2,600 hours compared to same period in fiscal 2015.

The improved relationship between Flaggs and the chief was evident at Monday’s board meeting when the mayor commended Atkins for his work.

The lessons Flaggs and Atkins have learned from their earlier disputes are beginning to take effect, and echo Flaggs’ oft-spoken comment that “Vicksburg is bigger than me.”