A judge has temporarily blocked a major step in Mayor-President Sid Edwards' efforts to merge East Baton Rouge EMS with the Baton Rouge Fire Department.

On Wednesday, Louisiana District Judge Ronald Johnson granted a temporary restraining order, blocking a Baton Rouge Fire and Police Municipal Civil Service Board vote scheduled for Monday.

That vote is over reclassifying the position of Fire Chief to oversee EMS, and symbolizes a big step in Edwards' plan to merge the two agencies.

“We respect the legal process and we look forward to a resolution that best serves the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish,” said in a statement following Johnson's order Wednesday afternoon.

EMS employees have pushed back following Edwards' announcement in June.

This is a developing story.

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