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Rossford swears in first full‑time firefighters; council approves fire and police vehicle purchases
Summary
Council heard updates on fire station renovations and sworn in eight full‑time firefighters; ordinance purchasing three Ford Explorers for the fire department passed as an emergency. Police vehicle purchases using forfeited funds were also adopted.
Rossford City Council on March 24 acknowledged the department's transition to a full‑time fire force and approved vehicle purchases for public safety.
Chief Siroka updated the council on ongoing renovations at the fire station, saying he had spoken with the building official and that work could proceed "except keep some of the walls open that have the that need a electrical inspector." He reported the official found additional items to address below the dorm but said they can be completed as second‑floor renovations finish.
The council heard earlier in committee reports that eight full‑time firefighters had been sworn in and that the first full‑time shift was set to commence March 24, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.; four members were promoted to lieutenant. The Public Health and Safety committee reported that improvements at the station are ongoing until renovations are complete and that staffing will begin with four on duty, with the potential to increase to six when work is finished.
Council adopted Ordinance 2025‑16, authorizing purchase of three Ford Explorer vehicles for the fire department through the Ohio cooperative purchasing program and waiving competitive bidding; the ordinance was declared an emergency and adopted at the March 24 meeting. The ordinance was introduced as the third reading and passed following motion and roll‑call votes.
Separately, Council adopted Ordinance 2025‑22 authorizing purchase of two police vehicles; one of those vehicles will be purchased with forfeited funds, the council was told. That ordinance was also adopted as an emergency.
Council members raised procedural questions about vehicles arriving before formal ordinance approval; city staff said timing and vendor lead times had required taking possession while pending legal approval and that standard insurance protocols applied while vehicles were used by city personnel.
No changes to staffing authorizations were made on the floor at the March 24 meeting beyond recognition of the sworn firefighters and station renovation updates; any staffing‑level ordinance changes would require separate ordinance action.
