Bath Fire Department continues to grow as new chief takes over

by Wendy Turrell

The organizers of the 1945 all-volunteer Bath Fire Department could only have dreamed of its evolution into the professional, high-tech fire and rescue squad it is today.

On Jan. 6, Bath Township trustees appointed Interim Fire Chief Robert Campbell as the new permanent chief of a department that employs 10 full-time and 41 part-time employees. Three additional part-time staffers were expected to join the department before the end of January.

Campbell was named assistant fire chief of the department in 2014. Before joining Bath Fire, he worked at Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department for 22 years, the last nine as captain and shift commander. Concurrently, he served part-time as a firefighter and paramedic at the Fairlawn Fire Department and, in his early career, at Bath-Copley Station 2.

Campbell graduated from the Ohio Fire Executive Program in May 2019 and was granted Ohio Fire Chief Designation the same year from the Ohio Fire Chiefs credentialing committee.

He replaces former chief Walt Hower, who retired in September 2019.

For now, the assistant fire chief position remains vacant, with no timeline for replacement, Campbell said. He runs the department with the assistance of his three lieutenants: John Rodriguez, Scott Forshey and Chris Null.

Campbell said of his transition to chief, “There are no major changes planned … We will continue to look at industry trends, equipment and technology to make adjustments to our operations so that we maintain the level of excellence that has long existed in the Bath Fire Department.”

In the past year, Campbell said the department replaced an aging ambulance with a new four-wheel-drive vehicle that will allow staffers to respond more effectively during major snow events. The department also added another staff vehicle for daily activities.

In addition, Bath Fire is working with the city of Hudson to implement a shared dispatch system, “which would allow each community to maintain their own dispatch center but share equipment and operational costs,” Campbell said.

He added that the shared system would also provide both communities with needed backup during significant incidents.

Campbell expects recent additions of health facilities and increased demand for emergency services to impact the department. The University Hospital Broadview Heights Health Center and MetroHealth Brecksville are relatively new resources for emergency patients, Campbell said.

“Two new extended care facilities within the township will contribute to additional requests for service in the future,” Campbell added, referring to the 66-bed Cleveland Clinic Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Hospital on Route 18 and Heritage Crossing Assisted Living on N. Cleveland-Massillon Road.

To respond to increased demand, Campbell said Bath Fire “continues to train personnel and refine techniques in order to be able to provide services more effectively and safely.”

All Bath firefighters are required to pass a yearly medical review for clearance to wear self-contained breathing apparatus. Full-time staff members receive an annual physical. Many Bath firefighters have come from serving other fire departments. At present, there are no physical fitness standards for the job, although Campbell said those are being considered for future hires. Most of the current firefighters are in their late 20s to late 30s, and there is no mandatory retirement age.

One thing has not changed since 1945, when the driving force for founding the Bath Fire Department was “neighbors helping neighbors.” The department’s attitude of care and concern for Bath citizens remains. “We have a great department and staff that take pride in providing the best possible service to our residents and visitors,” Campbell said.

Feature Image photo caption: From l-r, Lt. John Rodriguez, Chief Rob Campbell and Lt. Chris Null are leading the Bath Fire Department into its 75th year. Photo by W. Turrell