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Orrville Fire Chief reviews 2024: flood response, technical rescues, new heavy-rescue truck scheduled
Summary
Fire Chief Chris Bishop told Orrville City Council that 2024 was unusually busy: the department averaged about 3.3 calls per day, responded to a massive flash flood in August that generated dozens of calls, received a $15,000 Norfolk Southern grant for rescue equipment, and plans to accept delivery of a new heavy rescue in September 2025.
Orrville — Chief Chris Bishop gave the Orrville Fire Department’s 2024 annual report at the March 17 council meeting, describing a year of high activity that included structure fires, technical rescues, and an extreme flash-flood event that produced dozens of emergency calls in one night.
Bishop said the department averaged about 3.3 calls per day in 2024 and recorded mutual aid responses to neighboring jurisdictions. He highlighted a rescue at the scene of a farm tractor rollover that required airbags and heavy-rescue resources; despite rapid extrication efforts, the teenager trapped under the tractor died from massive trauma. Bishop described the subsequent, grateful contact from the victim’s family after the burial as an example of the department’s community role.
The chief reviewed the department’s response to a late-evening storm on Aug. 8, 2024, when more than 7.5 inches of rain fell in roughly three hours. The storm prompted roughly 40 calls in the first hours, including people trapped in vehicles, homes flooded, and one elevator rescue at a commercial facility. Bishop said mutual aid was requested and provided by Kidron Fire and the Worcester Township Swiftwater Rescue Team. He also said the department received help from utility crews to cut power where water was entering homes.
Bishop reported other 2024 items: a $15,000 grant from Norfolk Southern to upgrade hydraulic rescue tools ("Jaws of Life"); approval and specification work for a new heavy-rescue vehicle to be built beginning in July with a projected September 2025 delivery; and ongoing work with the mayor and administration on station remodeling and staffing. He noted EMS billing collections and training statistics: 929 EMS calls, about $572,001 billed and collections reported in the meeting as roughly 80% of billed amounts after contractual adjustments.
The chief also recognized personnel milestones and community events: Alan Stanley was introduced as the department’s 2024 Firefighter of the Year; several members marked multi-decade service anniversaries; the department continued community programs including school visits, fire prevention outreach, the July 4 parade and fireworks, and the Fire in the Sky softball tournament.
Why this matters: The department’s high call volume, the August flood response, planned vehicle replacement and equipment upgrades affect public safety readiness and capital needs for Orrville and mutual-aid partners. Council members and administration indicated continued support for station improvements and staffing.
Questions and next steps: Bishop took questions after the presentation; council thanked the department. Council will continue coordinating on station remodeling funding and follow up as specifications for the heavy-rescue vehicle advance.
