Richfield Township currently contracts with the Village of Richfield’s Fire Department. Funded by a Fire/EMS levy, the current levy is 2.20 mills and generates approximately $338,343.00 each year in revenue. In January 2007 the Board of Trustees signed a three-year contract with the Village of Richfield in the amount of $385,514.00.
The Richfield Fire Department was established in 1934 as a volunteer fire department and has progressed into a department with year round staffing that includes a Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants and 23 firefighters.
Specialized fields of training include instructors in C.P.R, advanced cardiac life support, emergency medical technicians, fire service training and instruction, CEI electrical safety. There is a 12-member high angle rope rescue team that specializes in the areas of hazardous material emergencies, high angle rope rescue, ice rescue, and confined space emergencies.
There are 14 paramedics, 9 fire safety inspectors and a 13-member hazardous materials team.
Their mission statement reads, “Our mission is to provide the citizens of Richfield, the best possible protection and services through relentless training and continued commitment to excellence.”
The 2010 statistics are:
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Village EMS & Fire: 628
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Township EMS: 154
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Township Fire: 69
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Mutual Aid Given: 47
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Toatal for 2010: 898
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Mutual Aid Received: 45
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Percentage of Township Fire Services: 25%
Location
Richfield Fire Department
P.O. Box 387
4450 W. Streetsboro Road
Richfield, Ohio 44286
Phone:330-659-9400
Fax 330-659-4411
Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Station is manned twenty-four (24) hours a day every day of the year.
Fire Chief: Joe Stopak
Fire Prevention Officer: Jeff Shupe
Fire/EMS Station
In April 2002 the Fire Department moved into the new 20,000 sq. ft building at a cost of $2.1 million. This state of the art facility contains 12 bays for the trucks, a hose tower, training room, plans review room for fire and building inspections and investigations, new administrative offices and a combined kitchen, dining, living facility to house 8 employees on each shift.
Throughout the year members of the Fire Department participate in various segments of fire training:
Fire Training: Along with practicing basic firefighting all members participate in Rapid Intervention Team training in which they are capable of rescuing their own people if an emergency arises while out on a call.
Rescue Training: The department is a Certified EMT Continuing Education site with the State of Ohio and offers EMS training for the EMT-Basic Level and EMS training for the EMT-Paramedic level staff. Some of the topics covered at the trainings were report writing and documentation, pediatric emergencies, legal and ethical issues, geriatric concerns and trauma review.
Fire Prevention and Education and Youth Fire Prevention Training: In 2000 four neighboring communities replaced the old child safety house. Through a massive donation program a new mobile fire children’s safety house trailer was purchased in 2000, which allows young children the opportunity to practice home fire escapes, fire and hazard prevention and severe storm safety.
Inspections:
Fire Inspection Program: Along with doing general fire inspections this program also oversees the inspections of commercial buildings to check fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fire hood systems and assuring that the buildings meet all current fire code requirements prior to occupancy.
Annual Pump Test: apparatus pumps and gauges are inspected and serviced per the requirements of the NFPA 20.
Oil and Gas Well Inspections: In conjunction with the Ohio Division of Oil and Gas the plugging of wells is available.
Public Service
In 2000, over 400 hours were spent by firemen volunteering their service to the public. Such volunteer efforts included instructing new intern doctors from Akron General and Akron City Hospital on auto extrication and emergency medical care equipment usage on the streets. They marched in full force at the Memorial Day Parade and Community Day Parade. They march with the little beggars on Halloween. They taught CPR courses and held an annual Bandage Day Camp in June allowing more children to learn first aid and get the Basic Aid Training card from the Red Cross.
For more information about the Village of Richfield Fire Department, please click here. The Fire Department can be found under "Administration."