Springfield Township Assistant Fire Chief Dave Moore presented a year-in-review of fire and EMS operations to Holland Village Council at a January 4 meeting.
Last year, the department made 622 runs in Holland, with 75 percent for EMS calls and 25 percent fire related.
More specifically, the assistant chief said there were 461 emergency medical calls and 86 for public service assistance.
“Sixty-one percent required patient transports to area hospitals,” Assistant Chief Moore said.
Common locations that called for service were the extended care facility on Clarion Avenue, Village Meadow Apartments on South McCord Road, Walmart, Kroger, Menards, Springfield High School and a medical clinic on Spring Valley Drive.
Among the fire calls were three major blazes: at Quail Lakes Drive apartments, with damage estimated at $125,000; at Springfield High School for an HVAC roof unit, with $10,000 in damage, and at the Buckeye Broadband store on Airport Highway, with $200,000 in damage.
“They had a lot of property in outdoor storage,” he noted of the third fire. “That was expensive.”
Fire safety inspections also conducted in Holland were for seven annual inspections, three reinspections, six state inspections, one adoption/foster home study, seven Knox Box installations, five fire alarms, eight plan reviews and nine final plans/remodelings.
Assistant Chief Moore is proud of the 49 full-time, 12 part-time and 10 contingent members of the department.
The personnel are balanced with some new firefighters and some long-time members.
“We try to maintain our strength and keep that experience,” he said.
The assistant chief recalled that he began working at the township fire department in 1990 and served in the former Holland fire department for several years in the early 1990s.
“It jump-started my career,” he said.
In 2021, the township fire department added four battalion chief positions, serving around the clock “to handle any situation that might arise.”
“The captain positions will be going away by attrition, and we have lieutenants on every shift,” he explained. Six firefighters were pro
Six firefighters were promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
“This enhancement provides for an increase in accountability and leadership,” he added.
The assistant chief also pointed out that John Ziehr, battalion chief, was awarded the Pat Ambrose EMS Educator of the Year award by Mercy Health System.
“We’re proud he’s a member of our staff.”
Among new equipment purchased in 2021 was 10 full sets of turnout gear, five self-contained breathing apparatus units, three LifePak defibrillators, two Lucas devices for chest compressions in CPR and a new Ford F-250 command vehicle.
One major change in operations that Assistant Chief Moore noted is the transition to a countywide 911 and fire dispatching system.
Township dispatchers joined the regional council of government’s dispatch center in October, and Springfield Township Fire Chief Barry Cousino serves on the council’s board of directors.
Chief Cousino also is chairman of the Lucas County EMS policy board that includes emergency room physicians, nurses, fire chiefs and elected officials.
Another countywide ef fort that the department is participating in is the “Leave It Behind” initiative.
It originally started as Project DAWN–Deaths Avoided with Naloxone by the Ohio Department of Health.
“When our personnel respond to an overdose of opioids, they would be able to leave behind a kit that contains Narcan and resources for them to get into rehabilitation,” Assistant Chief Moore said.
“That continues to be a huge issue in our community, and we try to offer people a way out.”
Department personnel also participate in an outreach program that serves residents who are “repeat 911 callers.” “They have specific needs
“They have specific needs that aren’t being met,” Assistant Chief Moore explained.
The Health, Education, Resources, Outreach (HERO) project is a joint effort with Sylvania Township Fire Department.
A firefighter/EMT with a social work background makes home visits to these residents to see how they can be helped.
In the first year, it saw an 82 percent reduction in calls for patient falls, he said.
“That’s been very successful,” the assistant chief added.
Holland Mayor Lee Irons praised the fire/EMS service provided by Springfield Township. “Your service is impressive,” he said, noting that he called for EMS help in the past year “and you have my personal gratitude.”
“The quality of service we enjoy is really appreciated by everyone,” the mayor added.
