Will East Wayne Fire District stay or go?

DALTON -- East Wayne Fire District has had a good year in securing three federal grants, including one game-changer that took Station One to a full-time, around-the-clock firehouse.

That all may be in jeopardy as a key component of the district, Sugar Creek Township, is contemplating withdrawing its membership, leaving Dalton, Marshallville and Baughman Township as the remaining affiliates.

A couple months ago during a Sugar Creek Township Trustee meeting, Matt Nussbaum initiated the conversation regarding EWFD's future and Sugar Creek's potential withdraw, citing residents have stepped forward with concerns over how the district is operating and that it's become too large.

Should Sugar Creek withdraw, Nussbaum said there are no plans as to where the township would receive its fire and EMS coverage.

"I'd be surprised if anything happens immediately because we have no plans," Nussbaum said. "We can't just pull out and say, 'Whoa, we have no plan or coverage.' That's not very wise."

Robert Valentine, Orrville Fire Department chief, said if EWFD ceases to exist there is no way his station can cover its footprint.

"There is no way I could cover all of Baughman Township," said Valentine, whose department has a service contract with EWFD to cover portions of the township. "For someone in Dalton who is having cardiac arrest/heart attack, and waiting on an ambulance from Orrville or North Lawrence Township, I would not take that chance."

Asked if Orrville could adequately cover Dalton or Marshallville, Valentine said, "No, nor would my administration want to do that."

If the township does withdraw from the district, EWFD may lose its United States Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency grant valued at $648,000 that is set to expire in 2017.

The renewable grant was awarded for staffing under FEMA's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program, which supports the hiring of firefighters and recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

EWFD has landed over $879,000 in federal grant funds this year.

Not everyone in Sugar Creek Township, though, shares the same views.

"If someone pulls out, the bottom line is we would lose our grant funding," said Craig Limbach, a Sugar Creek Township trustee, who was defeated at the polls this month by Jacob Dalessandro after eight years in office.

"And the chances of getting grant funding after that for years are slim to none," added Limbach, stressing the importance placed on collective fire districts over individual rescue entities. "To walk away from that much free money is pure insanity, to me. It's all about faster response times and saving peoples lives."

Don Grimes, president of EWFD, appealed to Dalton council members and Mayor Judy Cox during a meeting Monday, asking for support as the district attempts to protect its future.

"It scares me to death because if East Wayne Fire District goes away, it leaves a big hole in our coverage area," he said following the meeting. "... I want to save East Wayne and its future of fire fighting."

Dalton residents, Fiscal Officer Cheryl Drew said, are in favor of the district and have been vocal about it. "Every single day, at least one person stops by Village Hall to say how happy they are to see (Station One) fully staffed."

"It's important for politicians to realize the entire township benefits from the increased staffing," said Gary Martin, EWFD Station One chief. "Staffing is an absolute need and benefit to Sugar Creek Township residents and all residents."

On at least two instances, Kidron Fire Department has requested being carved out of EWFD. Couple that with another member withdrawing, EWFD would be forced to totally re-configure its footprint.

"If somebody pulls out of the district, there is a pretty good chance that the Dalton station will no longer be there," Limbach said. "Then everyone's home owners insurance will skyrocket without a fire station in their backyard."

Cox agreed, saying, "If the East Wayne Fire District fails, our fire rates will go sky high."

Like anything else, Limbach said, if a village or township wants fire and EMS coverage, there is a cost associated with it.

"You want a new vehicle, you have to pay for it," he said. "The dealer won't give it to you. You either have to give them money or go to the bank and get a loan. It's the same principal; nothing is free. And costs continue to rise, just like everything else.

"People may be concerned with their money leaving their area and going to the other townships in the district," Limbach added. "But, just like everyone else's money, it all comes back in the form of services, full-time staffed medics and EMTs with faster response times. That equals lives saved."

Further discussion is expected during Sugar Creek Township's trustee meeting Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

"Getting rid of the district would come at the cost of residents' lives," Martin said.

Reporter Jonathan Scholles can be reached at 330-287-1632 or [email protected]. He is @jonschollesTDR on Twitter.