Fire department receives record number of calls

by Alex Vukoder

Oct. 10 township trustees meeting

September calls to the Bath Fire Department for assistance totaled 150, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,226. This is trending above the number of calls received this time last year. In 2022, the fire department handled the highest call volume in its recorded history.

“We are expecting this year to be the new all-time high for number of calls,” said Fire Chief Robert Campbell. “This can most likely be attributed to more traffic in the area, more extended care facilities and more hotel space.”

The fire department’s recent training exercises included hose line management and forced entry. Township trustees approved the contract renewal and $3,600 payment to Waterways of Southeast PA for annual hose testing. When Bath’s fire department performed mandatory safety tests in-house, it took up to a month to complete, and more than once, firefighters received an emergency call when the hoses were still out of the trucks. Campbell said the contracted company can complete all the testing in just one day.

Service Director Caine Collins reported that repairs are underway to the exterior of the Bath Baseball Shelter. The baseball fields were playable 90% of the time this season. His team also participated in advanced chipper, chainsaw and tree-felling courses. Collins said the training increased the skill and ability of the township to assist if trees are on cable lines or roadways. Ohio Edison will continue to handle any trees on power lines.

Trustees approved the continuation of the North Fork Preserve barn restoration project for $30,000 with Milano Repairs. The next phase includes the demolition of the loft, as it is unusable. Side windows will be installed, and the exterior of the structure will be repaired and painted. Work is expected to be complete before the winter season.

Trustee Elaina Goodrich said the township is submitting its “Spring into Nature” event for consideration to receive an award from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association in the events category. She said the township previously received recognition for the Bath Baseball Park and park wetlands. ∞