The Washington Township Fire Department pulled out their engines, served pizza, and welcomed guests both official and residential at their open house and fundraiser on Thursday. The event celebrated 65 years of service and as Chief Dave Compton noted, that service comes from the heart of the township.
The fire department is located close to the center of the township’s six-mile radius; and according to Compton that means better service for area residents.
“When EMS [emergency medical services] started, they were based in funeral homes and hospitals. Squads within fire departments are generally closer to the population. They can administer emergency treatment more quickly,” noted Compton.
According to Compton, 85-90 percent of the department’s calls are EMS runs, the remaining 10-15 percent are for fires or odor of gas. He added, “In the last 10 years, fires have caused more damage than natural disasters.” He pointed out that the cost of a disaster like Hurricane Katrina causes considerable damage but it is a one-time event, as opposed to the repeated calls for fires and emergency squad runs.
According to Compton, Washington Township Fire Department also provides mutual aid to “Monroe, Jefferson, Troy, Madison, Mansfield City—any of the surrounding departments and we ask them for help too,” he said.
Diane Hammett had cause to celebrate and lend a hand at Thursday’s event. Hammett, a firefighter/EMT joined the department 32 years ago when the building was much smaller. The department had two engines, two tankers, and a gas truck.
“Our equipment hasn’t really changed, other than when we added 33; it’s a pumper tanker,” noted Hammett. She also explained that Washington Township is a combined volunteer/part time paid department with manning Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with two personnel. There are approximately 36 members in the department. There’s also an auxiliary of four members.
“They run the rehab for Richland County that’s open for everyone. It carries drinks, food, and a canopy in case there’s bad weather. It’s mostly for drinks, and it aids the firemen. They [the rehab unit] go to anywhere in Richland County. Like when Milliron was on fire, the rehab went–any big fire, the rehab goes to take care of the firefighters,” said Hammett.
The fundraising aspect of the open house was to raise money for department projects. Hammett explained, “The township levy money takes care of equipment and stuff like that, like when we adopt families for Christmas, or give to needy families. When people are burned out we tend to give them donations. It takes money to do that.”
Compton, who first followed the career path of his brother Troy Township Fire Chief Rich Compton, has been chief since 2004. He explained that he is in the unique position of alternately being a chief and a firefighter. While he is the fire chief at Washington Township, he is also a firefighter with the Mansfield Fire Department.
“I also work full time as a captain with the Mansfield Fire Department. I’ve been with Mansfield for 18 years,” he said. But at Mansfield, Compton is not chief. However, Jim Bishop, a firefighter who serves under him at the Washington department, is an assistant chief at Mansfield. The two men enjoy a little banter over the role reversals.
A MedFlight helicopter created a stir when it landed near the fire department facility. MedFlight is a not-for-profit, CAMTS accredited air and ground critical care transportation company based in Columbus, OH that serves in times of need. MedFlight is governed by owner healthcare networks: OhioHealth and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, with additional support from Akron General Medical Center and Kettering Health Network.
EMT Flight Paramedic Bill Huffman with MedFlight took part in the helicopter’s static display and told visitors, “The technology has come a long way for the patient and crew members in terms of safety.” Weather and topography can all be seen on display consoles and is complemented, when needed, with night vision googles.
In addition to enjoying a raffle, cake cookies, and ice cream, open house visitors could enjoy exploring the trucks and equipment, as well as viewing and sitting in the helicopter and fire trucks. And for many children at the event, it appeared that the courtesy fire helmets they received were an event highlight.
A fire on Hathaway Road in 1947 drew community attention to the need for a fire department. Ken Daugherty, owner of Daugherty’s Restaurant and Gas Station which was located at the intersection of Possum Run Road and state Route 13, was contacted by local residents about the possibility of starting a fire department. After numerous meetings, a 2.3 mill tax levy was placed on the ballot in November 1948. The levy was approved, and most of the $20,000 that was generated was used to purchase land and build a fire station on Possum Run Road.
