Volunteer fire service task force to hold session Wednesday

By: 
Larry Limpf

The task force that was assembled to make recommendations to help sustain volunteer fire service in Ohio will hold a listening session Aug. 17 at Penta Career Center, 9301 Buck Road, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
The meeting is free and open to the public.
Gov. Mike DeWine created the Ohio Task Force on Volunteer Fire Service in April, partnering with the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal.
Twenty-five members from local volunteer departments, municipalities, and state agencies comprise the task force, which is focusing on recruitment, retention, response, training, and operations and financial resources.
The task force is to have a report of recommendations to the governor by June 2023.
According to the fire marshal’s office:
Ohio has 1,180 fire departments with about 70 percent of the fire services provided by volunteers. About 407 of the departments are volunteer; 198 are volunteer private fire companies; 60 are private fire companies, and 515 are non-volunteer fire departments.
There has been a 6.5 percent decrease in the number of volunteer firefighters from 2018-2021 and an increase of nine percent in the number of calls.
Staffing, training, and funding levels significantly impact the response of volunteer departments and each year fewer volunteers are available to meet community needs.
“As a career firefighter, I know the fire service is rooted deep in tradition, but the challenges of today can only be addressed through forward-thinking, innovative solutions. There is no single greatest issue of concern, for the volunteer firefighter service there are many – and together, they are creating challenges never before seen,” Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said when the governor announced the formation of the task force. “This is not only an Ohio issue; this is a national problem, but Ohio can and will serve as an example.”
Ottawa County commissioner Mark Stahl was appointed to the task force.
The task force held its first session last month at the Wayne County Regional Training Facility in Apple Creek, Ohio. Sessions are also planned for Aug. 20 at the Hamden Firefighters Community Facility; Oct. 1 at the Warren County Career Center, and Sept. 28 and Oct. 8 at the State Fire Marshal building in Reynoldsburg.
To reserve a seat contact Tonia Smith at tonia.smith@com.ohio.gov.

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