Meetings set for developing fire district’s plan

Dates have been set for public meetings to develop a strategic plan for the Allen-Clay Joint Fire District for the years 2022-2025.
Fire chief Mike Musolf said meetings scheduled for Dec. 2 and 9 will address initiative development for the department and meetings set for Dec. 16 and 30 and Jan 6, 13, and 20, 2022 will address goal development.
The final two meetings on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 will focus on goal measurement.
The meetings will all be held at 7 p.m. at the fire station at 3155 N. Genoa-Clay Center Rd.
Chief Musolf said the meetings are being formatted to tap into the expertise of the community and the public’s participation will set the fire district in the right direction for the future.
Resource Management Consultants has been retained to facilitate the meetings.
The district is asking residents in its service area to complete a questionnaire that asks respondents to rate the department’s fire and emergency medical service if they’ve received a service and what would be an acceptable response time for a 9-1-1 or non-emergency call in the future.
The survey also asks on a scale of 1 to 10 for residents to separately rate the importance of how quickly fire trucks arrive on scene, the appearance of vehicles and uniforms of firefighters, safety of firefighters while on the job, training of firefighters, the ability to respond to every service call, and support for a tax increase to hire more firefighters.
The survey also includes space for respondents to voice their concerns or suggestions for the department.
Residents interested in taking part in the sessions should contact the chief by email at: chief@allenclayjfd.oh.gov to be added to the contact list.
The district is funded by a 5-mill, continuous property tax levy. It was formed in 2000 with the voter-approved merger of the Clay-Genoa, Clay Center and Allen Township fire departments.
The chief estimated the department’s current roster at about 78, including 10 or so support personnel who are retired but still assist with operating radios and other duties.
Chief Musolf said the initial phase of the planning process began with a revamping of the department’s mission statement. The new statement reads: “Provide service with integrity.”
Survey forms can be printed from the department website or answered online. The link is www.allenclayjfd.oh.gov/survey.
The department phone number is 419-855-9004.