Downed Wires and Volunteers

At our last regular trustee meeting, Fire Chief Fred Welsh presented his June monthly report regarding fire department operations. We use monthly reports to keep the trustees updated on a regular basis on department operations, although our department heads are always available for our questions and to discuss resident concerns.

There were two items of interest in the recent monthly report. First, we were informed that we had 18 - EIGHTEEN - applicants to become members of our volunteer firefighter ranks. Applicants range from those with little/no fire fighting or EMS experience to EMTs and even a doctor. This is a wonderful testament to the willingness of our community to step up and become involved in some capacity.

In the last several years, the viability of our volunteer program was questioned because of shrinking membership and failure of volunteers to respond when called. But I was convinced that the program simply needed a fresh perspective and the commitment of the administration and the fire department to thrive. And that is exactly what has happened. We haven't even fully implemented our plans due to budget restraints in 2008, but the response from our community so far is promising and I look forward to the benefits and support that a fully functioning and supported volunteer force can provide to Sylvania.

The second issue to be raised in the June monthly report was a service-related issue and at first glance may raise eyebrows and concern, which is why I want to address it directly. Chief Welsh reported that during the serious storm system that moved through our community on the evening of June 9, eleven calls to our 911 call center were not responded to.

As I said, at first this may raise some serious concerns about our ability to respond to calls. However, further review of the data shows that we did what we should do during serious weather-related conditions: we prioritized our resources, assessed calls for service and responded accordingly. Ten of the eleven calls for service were for reports of downed wired. Downed wires are the responsibility of Toledo Edison, not the Sylvania Township Fire Department. Yes, it would be nice if we could respond to calls for downed wires and provide 'blocking' so that residents and visitors do not mistakenly travel on or near the downed wire, and during otherwise normal operations we do provide this service. But during excessive call volumes like we experienced during this storm, we simply do not have the manpower to respond to every call for service. And we can't afford to staff 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year at a level that would let us respond to all of these calls for the once or twice a year that we experience severe weather.

In reviewing this situation, the Fire Department has noted some weaknesses and has begun the process of addressing those weaknesses in a logical, efficient and cost-effective way so that during the next severe storm our response is improved. The 18 potential volunteers I mentioned previously is another way that we can help address this situation.

Bottom line is that we still maintain the best Fire/EMS department in the area, with excellent response times and highly qualified staff dedicated to keeping our community safe. During severe weather and similar manpower-taxing situations, we may not be able to respond to every downed-wire call, but we do respond to incidents where life, limb and property are imminently at risk.