A part-time Springfield Township firefighter has been elevated to full-time status and will replace a member who submitted his resignation.
At the January 22 meeting, the trustees accepted a resignation submitted by Jeffrey Van-Dromme, dated January 19, “in lieu of further investigation into certain allegations that have been lodged against me,” he wrote.
Mr. VanDromme also agreed that his separation from employment shall be considered “not in good standing” and forfeited any payout of accrued vacation time as well as unemployment compensation.
The trustees accepted without comment his resignation, and on the recommendation of Assistant Chief Dave Moore, appointed part-time firefighter/ EMT Ryan Goodrick to full time effective January 22.
“Ryan was hired in September 2020 and comes to us from the 180th Fighter Wing where he served as a firefighter/EMS,” the assistant chief said.
He added, “Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.”
Assistant Chief Moore also presented the department statistics for December and provided an overview of activity in 2023.
In December, there were 394 calls for service in the areas served by the township, which, in addition to Springfield, includes the Village of Holland and Harding, Spencer and Swanton townships.
Of those, 278 were in Springfield Township, followed by Holland, 51; Spencer and Swanton, 16 apiece, and Harding, three.
The department also provided mutual aid to Maumee, 16; Sylvania and Sylvania Township, four each; Monclova Township, three; Toledo, two, and Richfield Township, one.
The department conducted 11 inspections, including six annual; three state, and one apiece fire alarm and sprinkler.
Four site plan were reviewed for Advanced Auto Parts, 1752 Airport Highway, fire alarm; Clarios, 10300 Industrial Boulevard, sprinkler; Quality Inn, 1401 East Mall Drive, fire alarm, and Anatrace, 6201 Trust Drive, remodel.
No fire investigations were conducted last month.
The assistant chief noted that although 2023 was a busy year, it did not eclipse 2022, which was a “record setting year” with 5,000 calls for service.
Last year the department responded to 4,820 calls. “The busiest day was February 11 with 29 runs, and the slowest day was March 18 with four runs.
“There were 69 structure fires and 3,334 EMS calls,” he added.
In the jurisdictions they served last year, the fire department responded to 663 calls in Holland, followed by Spencer, 252; Swanton, 154, and Harding, 54.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, February 12, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public.
