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WARREN TOWNSHIP -- While the fire department was able to have 76% coverage at the station in August thanks to help from off-duty response, some residents feel this is not enough to protect the community,
Resident Vicky Romack told the township trustees that the fire department did not have any staff coverage on the day her father fell and passed out.
She said Newton Falls emergency personnel eventually responded with an ambulance.
"There are many elderly people in my neighborhood, and it concerns me when there are times when there is no coverage at our fire department. That is unacceptable. We need ambulance coverage," Romack said.
She said her father laid in the driveway for 12 minutes until the ambulance arrived.
Fire Chief Joseph Natali said the fire department does what it can to cover shifts at the station but is limited on staff and unable to get new firefighters and paramedics.
"It is hard to get people when they go other places or work elsewhere," Natali said.
Resident Shawn Shooks said this is a serious concern.
He said when his stepfather had a stroke they had to wait for Champion to respond to the call.
"We have got to do better," he said.
Natali said the fire department had 103 calls in August with 81 emergency medical service.
He said the department received mutual aid for EMS 18 times and mutual aid received for fire and motor vehicle crashes seven times.
Natali said the department was able to provide mutual aid to other communities for EMS six times and for fire and motor vehicle crashes three times.
The fire department will showcase what they do and their equipment and vehicles at a community day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 3 at fire station, 4750 W. Market St. There will also be activities at the former LaBrae school site.
Officials said the free educational day allows the public to get to know the first responders who serve and protect the community.
There will be interactive activities and behind the scenes access.
NEW ZONING INSPECTOR
In other business, trustees named Bret Hurst as the new part-time zoning inspector.
Hurst said he spoke to Trustee Tyler Wilson, who was serving as zoning inspector, and told him the position was available and what it entails.
Hurst had retired recently from Goodyear Tire and said he has the time to be the zoning inspector.
OTHER MATTERS
In other business, trustees:
• Reported there are six homes in the township set for demolition.
• Received a grant which was used for two AEDS with one being at the administration building and the other the community center.
• Were informed by Police Chief Ben Harrell that a 2017 Ford Explorer police cruiser with 42,000 mile son it sold for $6,000/
• Heard from Road Supervisor David King that Kuchta Farms in Braceville is honoring first responders this weekend as part of First Responders Day.
• Announced that Federal and Fernway streets will be paved this fall. Block grant money is also being sought fro Rio Vista.
• Heard from Shook that a house on Rio Vista is an eyesore with illegal activity taking place there and raccoons inside the building,
• Hired Burton Miller as a part-time patrolman at $19 per hour, hired Mark Cribley as a part-time driver. Laborer for the road department at $17 per hour hired
• Hired Courtney Lemasters as a part-time emergency medical technician at $16 per hour starting September 26.
• Hired Justine Kohn as a full-time driver/laborer with the road department
• Set trick or treat from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.