The needs and concerns of Richland County Fire Departments are highlighted this election season for the Village of Plymouth, Franklin Township, Jefferson Township and Springfield Township, all of which have renewal levies on the ballot.
Communities depend on their local fire department, whether it is a manned station with career firefighters or an all-volunteer department. The departments respond to the critical safety of their esidents. The fire departments in turn have a dependency as well: the need of loyal, dedicated volunteers willing to serve at a moment’s notice.
The financial support of a levy insures the department will be able to continue to serve and protect the community at times of fire or emergency.
Fire Chief Randy Washburn of the Franklin Township Fire Department commented on some of the challenges his station faces currently. “Day time staffing is a huge concern. A generation before us there were more single worker families. With today’s economy and the need for two incomes in most families, it is really tough to get daytime volunteers,” said Washburn.
According to Washburn the township’s current levy plays a vital role in the continuation of quality service to the community and is needed to support operating costs for fire and emergency services.
“With state reductions at local levels this levy is very critical to us and our mission to provide quality fire and EMS services to the residents,”said Washburn. He also added that the station is currently operating on one levy.
The Franklin Township department is a volunteer station with a total of 27 on call firefighters and EMS. The levy, Washburn noted, will bring in an estimated $65,000 per year, or approximately $87.50 per year for a $100,000 home.
The Springfield Township Fire Department is made up of two fire stations that work together to serve the City of Ontario. Station number one is located at 3700 Park Avenue and serves the western side of Ontario and Springfield. Station number two is located at 400 South Lexington Springmill Road and serves the Eastern township, the city and commercial areas.
The current levy on the ballot for Springfield is a 1.5 mil, 5-year renewal and is needed to fund up to one third of total operating costs, which this last year were estimated at $1.8 million. The station does have a separate dedicated levy for equipment costs. Operating costs include salaries utilities, day to day expenses like fuel among other things. Springfield Township Fire is comprised of both career and volunteer firefighters.
“It’s important for people to know and understand that the support of the community that we are dedicated to protect is crucial,” said Springfield Fire Chief Ron Henry. He added, ”It is not a new or additional tax, it’s a renewal.”
Henry believes it is important for the residents to understand that the station depends on the funds generated by this levy for up to one third of its operating cost and if they had to do without it, cuts would have to be made.
Those cuts would be in the area of manpower. Manpower already being of issue, Henry stated that he didn’t know of any station that had “enough manpower to do their job in the first place” and that they [Springfield] currently have 14 firefighters on staff with five on duty around the clock between the two stations.
Having enough volunteers is a challenge the stations face. In the event of a fire Chief Henry stated,”Fire is a great equalizer. Everyone is important; everyone is needed staff and volunteers.” He went on to add, ”We don’t have an over abundance of manpower, it takes several stations to respond to a building fire. There’s no fat to trim.”
Summing up his concerns for the department to continue to provide dedicated fire and emergency services Henry said,”It’s frustrating when people vote ‘no,’ usually it’s because they are misinformed. I want the people to know they are always welcomed to stop in, visit the station, see what we are about. We run a tight ship-no waste.”
David Taylor, CPA and fiscal officer for the Village of Bellville spoke in support of the Jefferson Township Fire Department and its current levy.
“Our department is second to none and this levy is critical to keep it going. It is an on-going need to provide fire and emergency services for the residents,”said Taylor.
The 2 mil five year levy according to Taylor is not a new tax but a renewal and is needed to help fund up to 40 percent of operating costs which are estimated to be about $1.2 million and to help support EMS services.
With safety and quality of service a top priority for Jefferson Township, Taylor said the upgrades that have been made in the last three years to include a state of the art new grass fire truck and the jaws of life. Both purchases were not dependent on the levy Taylor added.
In conclusion Taylor shared his belief that the current challenges faced by Jefferson Township are maintaining a quality of training and keeping up with state mandates. Taylor is optimistic the support of the community will be as dedicated as the department is to the community.
“Day time staffing is a huge concern. A generation before us there were more single worker families. With today’s economy and the need for two incomes in most families, it is really tough to get daytime volunteers,” said Franklin Township Fire Chief Randy Washburn.
