County officials are being asked to vote next week on the first step of what may be a lengthy process of pulling yet another responsibility away from the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

An agenda item on the County Commission’s next meeting calls for a study on the costs and benefits of reviving Broward County Fire Rescue, which merged with the Broward Sheriff’s Office in 2003. The merger included the Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport fire departments, which the County Commission is already studying to restore.

Commissioner Lamar Fisher said adding County Fire Rescue to the study that’s already been authorized is a practical, common-sense idea that would just show whether taking that action would be feasible.

“You have to look at the totality of public safety,” Fisher said. “I don’t think it was a mistake to merge with BSO when we did. But times have changed. It’s worth looking at.”

The Sheriff’s Office defended its 23-year record of overseeing fire-rescue services.

“Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue has been a cornerstone of public safety in Broward County by saving lives, easing suffering and protecting property,” spokesman Carey Codd said in an e-mailed response to a request for comment. “With more than 800 highly-trained professionals, the department provides fire suppression, fire protection, emergency medical services and educational programs for most unincorporated areas of Broward County and to the municipalities of Cooper City, Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Lauderdale Lakes, Pembroke Park, West Park and Weston through contract agreements.”

Codd cited the agency’s community education efforts as assets to the community.

“Our dedicated team of life safety educators teaches hands-only CPR and bleeding control courses, critical skills in a lifesaving emergency,” he said.

The year has been tough on the Sheriff’s Office. In January, the Deerfield Beach City Commission voted to end its 30-year relationship with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, and Pompano Beach is considering following suit. Pompano Beach’s city manager has advised his commission to extend the city’s contract with BSO by one year.

Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457. Follow him on Twitter @OlmedaNews.