Springfield Township has approved an agreement for countywide advanced life support (ALS) emergency medical services.
At the November 27 meeting, Fire Chief Barry Cousino told the trustees that Lucas County is seeking to revise the method and manner of delivering ALS EMS services.
Under the new agreement, the township will provide these services in a designated response region in accordance with uniform staffing levels and standards of service. In exchange, they will receive payment for those services.
“We will have five ALS units available to residents,” said the chief, “and it will make us more cost effective and efficient.”
He noted the county is getting out of the EMS business and will be liquidating its assets, which includes a new $280,000 ambulance which he expects the township to receive.
Lucas County plans to make the switch on June 3, 2024, he added, noting the changeover can’t be done any sooner since there are still a number of jurisdictions yet to sign the agreement.
Chief Cousino also presented the department statistics for October.
There were 400 calls for service last month 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, 280 were in Springfield Township; followed by Holland, 53; Spencer, 19; Swanton, 16, and Harding, six.
The department also provided mutual aid to Maumee, Sylvania and Sylvania Township, seven apiece; Monclova Township, three, and Richfield and Waterville townships, one each.
The department conducted 26 inspections, including 15 annual; four state; two special, and one apiece new business reinspection, sprinkler, final/remodel and adoption/foster/ home study.
Three site plans were approved for GLCAP Early Childhood Center, 2151 North McCord Road, remodel; Game One, 11500 Tallwinds Drive, interior alteration and Penta Career Center, 1205 Corporate Drive, remodel.
No fire investigations were conducted in October.
Chief Cousino said the department passed inspections on equipment. Fire Safety Services conducted flow tests and inspections of all self-contained breathing apparatus and pump tests on each fire engine were performed in house.
At the chief’s request, the trustees approved the installation of a new Safe Haven Baby Box at the McCord Road station. The unit will be installed by Midwest Contracting for $11,316.
Plans to have it installed months ago hit a snag due to a gray area in the administrative code, explained Chief Cousino. “Changes to the code were made this year so now we can install the box.”
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Purchased a new Freightliner truck for public services at a cost of $197,577. The truck is being purchased from Valley Freightliner and accessories from Kalida truck.
Delivery is expected next June or July, said Andy Hohlbein, public services director.
The trustees also authorized the purchase of a new engine for the department’s 2007 dump truck from Selking International for $25,056.
“It’s a lot cheaper than purchasing a new truck,” Mr. Hohlbein said, adding that the engine replacement will be done inhouse.
•Heard from Lieutenant John Leach of the Lucas County sheriff’s office that the extra holiday patrols in the joint economic development zone along Airport Highway from Holland Sylvania to Holloway roads is going well.
In the first week, the department made four arrests, “one of which was a multistate theft ring.”
The lieutenant urges everyone to be aware of their surroundings while out shopping. For residents making online purchases, he encourages them to be present when packages are delivered or have a neighbor pick it up for them.
The goal is to avoid being a victim of criminals who are perusing neighborhoods in search of packages left unattended on porches. “If you are a victim, please call us and file a report. And if you have video of the theft, give it to sheriff’s deputies,” he added.
•Approved a pay rate adjustment to $25 per hour for John Thomas, a public service employee, based on his continued assertiveness to better his skills and obtain certifications.
•Heard from Mr. Hampton that he is working to facilitate a civil dispute between neighbors regarding a pickleball court in a barn. The neighbor is contending the barn is being used for a commercial enterprise, while the property owner said he used the court for his use and that of other members of the pickleball group.
“There is no evidence it is being used for commercial,” Mr. Hampton said, adding that the complainant has involved an attorney in the dispute.
•Learned that the township is expecting a ruling soon on an Econolodge complaint filed in Lucas County Court.
“If the judge rules in our favor, the hotel will be closed for a year,” the administrator said, noting that to reopen, the owner will need to comply with township regulations.
•Reviewed the sheriff’s report on the number of times units were dispatched out of the township to respond to other incidents.
In October, units were pulled seven times to respond to issues pertaining to domestic violence, house fire, burglary, injury accidents and robbery.
•Learned that to date 2,588 tons of leaves have been collected. “That is 154 tons more than in 2022,” Mr. Hohlbein said.
•Changed the date for their second meeting of the month to Tuesday, December 26 due to the holiday.
•Announced that last month there were nine burials and five gravesites sold. “It’s been very busy,” Mr. Hohlbein said.
•Paid bills from November 14 to 27, totaling $97,687 and including the second payment of $35,798 to National Illumination and Sign Corporation for the digital sign at the administration building and $28,004 to Virtual Design Studios for design work on the new public services building.
They also paid electronic bills from November 10 to 23 of $327,255, which includes the annual biweekly payroll of $269,290.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, December 11, in the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. The meeting also can be viewed livestream at spring fieldtownship.net.
