Looking at Fire and EMS Services in Rural Townships

One of the most critical services a government can provide is up for discussion in a rural township

A Township Meeting

This publication recently became aware of a meeting in which the fire services in Washington Township, located next to the City of Piqua, will be the topic of discussion during a special meeting to be held on January 11th at the Township Building. In this article, this publication will talk about the history and the provision of these services to township residents.

Basic Services in Townships

Fire and EMS protection is one of the most basic and critical services any local government can provide; in fact, when people think about what government does, Fire and EMS is at the top of the list, right up there with police services.

And unlike Police Services, which in rural areas is covered by the county sheriff, there are no county-wide mandates to provide fire services in Ohio. These services are provided by villages and cities and in rural areas these services become the responsiblity of local townships.

A Brief History of Township Fire and EMS Services

The history of Fire and EMS services in Ohio's townships reflects a full spectrum from volunteer-driven brigades to sophisticated, professionally managed departments. Today, these services range from traditional firefighting to handling hazardous materials and conducting fire prevention education to providing life saving medical services. Funding these services often involves a mix of local taxes, state grants, and fundraising efforts.

Fire Services traditionally began as volunteer driven departments in rural areas. These volunteer departments weren’t necessarily a part of the township government, but served the residents of the township as non-profit corporations. These early departments were often funded through grants and donations, though some may have had contracts with townships that paid for the coverage.

In a similar vein, EMS in Ohio townships have evolved significantly, transitioning from basic first-aid squads to advanced life support units. And like the fire service, these services face unique challenges, such as maintaining rapid response times across vast rural areas and integrating with regional health systems.

Collaboration and Mutual Aid Agreements

One of the challenges facing township fire and EMS departments is the near constant strain on services. The fact that these rural departments cover more space and have more high speed traffic accidents than their urban conterparts, rural departments are often more pressure to provide service with less resources.

In these instances, collaboration is vital for maximizing resources and ensuring prompt response times, especially in emergencies that overwhelm a single township's capabilities. Mutual aid agreements between neighboring townships and even neighboring villages and cities have proven effective in pooling resources and expertise during major incidents. These agreements ensure that when an emergency breaks out in a rural township, there is coverage, though that coverage may come from an adjoining fire or EMS department.

Miami County in unique in the fact that all fire and EMS assets and personnel are dispatched by a unified emergency dispatch center; most communities tend to have a community-wide or a smaller regional dispatch center that may provide more of a patchwork of dispatch services. The advantage of the Miami County system is that dispatchers are aware of where fire and EMS assets are positioned at all times and can work seemlessly to dispatch mutual aid from an adjoining department.

The Changing Environment of Service Provision

Township fire and EMS departments, whether paid or volunteer, must navigate a complex web of state and federal regulations to ensure compliance and high service quality. Regular audits, performance reviews, and adherence to safety standards are essential for maintaining the trust and confidence of the community. Continuous training and professional development are crucial for fire and EMS personnel to keep up with the latest techniques and technologies. Smaller departments must invest in regular training programs, workshops, and seminars to ensure their teams are well-prepared for any emergency.

Funding and Budget Management

Securing funding and managing budgets for fire and EMS services is a constant challenge for Ohio townships. They rely on a mix of property taxes, levies, state funding, and occasional federal grants, requiring astute financial management and community support for successful operation. Townships can continue to rely on volunteer based departments, operate their own department or contract with an adjoining community for fire services.

Most townships, especially if they have a municipality will contract with that municipality for fire and EMS services. In Troy, residents in Lost Creek, Staunton and Concord Townships are covered by the Troy Fire Department for services. Each of the three townships have separate contracts for services for those respective townships. These contracts are largely funded through property tax levy put on the ballot by the township for these services.

Other service models for fire and EMS services also exist. Bethel Township, is somewhat unique in which it has it’s own hybrid department. While those folks on the department are considered volunteers, they are paid for runs they make and the officers of the department are also paid for their services. Individuals in Monroe Township help fund a joint department that is also funded by the City of Tipp City.

The responsibility of Ohio townships in providing fire and EMS services is a complex and ever-evolving challenge. It requires a delicate balance of resources, training, community involvement, and innovation. As they navigate these challenges, Ohio's townships stand as critical pillars in ensuring the safety and well-being of their residents.

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Update: This article was edited to show that it is Washington Township (also adjacent to PIqua) and not Spring Creek Township that is currently considering changing Fire and EMS Service providers. Spring Creek Township has already made this decision.