ROSSFORD – The Rossford Fire Department is fully staffed for the first time in years.
City Administrator Allyson Murray made the announcement at council’s Sept. 23 meeting.
“We did have full staffing for the month of September, which was the first time that I have ever seen that since I’ve been here,” she said.
Murray joined the city in 2020.
“(Staffing) looks really good for October as well,” she added.
The city received eight resumes for the position of fire chief and Interim Chief Andrew Vascik is coordinating the application and testing process for full-time firefighters, she said.
The city is negotiating union wages for the department.
“I think we’re on the right track,” she said.
Vascik said after the meeting that fully staffed means anywhere from two-three firefighters per shift, with six shifts per day.
He said he wasn’t sure what changed in the last four years for why the department is now staff around the clock.
“A lot of things have changed, including getting new blood in,” he said.
Since February, 10 firefighters have joined the department, he said.
“They’re bring some great, positive energy into the department,” Vascik said.
He said the department is not yet accepting applicants for full time staff but is continuing to seek volunteers as well as part-time help.
He said the wage negotiations will lay the groundwork before full-time firefighters are hired.
All current paid firefighters will have to reapply to remain on the department, Vascik said.
He said he expects to have full-time firefighters working by Jan. 1.
“The process is going to take a while, we want to do it right,” he said.
Once the public works department moves into its new facility on Wales Road, its former location in the safety building will be remodeled to include the addition of bedrooms on the second floor and a nursing station.
Currently the upstairs is one big bedroom with six beds, Vascik said.
“That is not made for anything full time, no big kitchen, no workout area, no separate locker room area. There are only two bathroom facilities in there,” Vascik said.
Also at the meeting, council:
• Learned the parks and recreation committee will hold future meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the city building.
• Established an account for funds seized by the police department during normal police activities. A non-interest-bearing checking account will hold the funds.
• Learned the city is limited to an above-ground structure at the former Indian Hills Elementary site.
The school, located on Glenwood Road, closed in 2014.
Councilman Christopher Heban asked if the city will be able to use brownfield money to demolish the school. The answer is yes, Murray said.
A nature grant will be sought to install a trail system on the site.
• Approved a special permit to allow Danny’s Café to close the parking spots in front and to the side of its location on Bergin Avenue for a zombie walk the evening of Oct. 26.
On the morning of Oct. 26, downtown streets will be closed for Race for Recovery.
The city’s Halloween parade is Oct. 27.
• Learned Robert Watrol, clerk of council, was one of six clerks in the state to be placed on the Municipal Clerks Honor Roll.
“Job well done and much deserved,” said Councilwoman Caroline Eckel.
• Heard Sue Yoder, Eagle Point Road, thank the fire department for its quick response when her rental until on Maple Street caught fire.
“We have a great fire department now, but we have the foundation to have a phenomenal department,” she said.
• Heard Diane Wolff, Jennings Road, thank marina guards from saving her boat from sinking.
• Confirmed a question by Jeff Appelhans, Hannum Avenue, that if the fire renewal levies fail, the department would be funded out of the city’s general fund.
