Tiffin Fire Rescue reports rising EMS calls, outlines 5-year goal for a third station

Chief Rob Chappell presented the annual report for Tiffin Fire Rescue to the Tiffin City Council on March 3, outlining rising emergency medical service (EMS) call volumes, recent staffing gains and plans to pursue a new fire station within five years.

The report matters because the department’s workload and station constraints affect response times, vehicle replacement schedules and budget planning across the city. Council members pressed for timelines and staffing details that will affect any proposal for new facilities or financing.

Chappell traced the department’s history and described 2024 operations: crews handled about 740 non-EMS calls — including 144 traffic accidents and 34 fires (14 building fires) — and ran 3,005 EMS incidents that resulted in 3,267 patient encounters, with 2,317 transports to area hospitals. He said 2317 patients were transported and more than 800 patients were treated but not transported; under current Ohio rules, the department receives payment only for transported patients. "Our EMS billing service generated over $780,000 in revenue last year," Chappell said, and township contracts and event standbys added about $61,700.

Chappell told council that total calls for service have risen steadily since 2018 and that 2024 saw roughly a 12% year-over-year increase in the city’s highest-use ward. "2024 marked an increase of more than 21% over that six-year period," he said, noting that the third ward accounted for the greatest number of responses.

The chief described training and inspection workloads: firefighters logged more than 1,400 hours of fire training in 2024; 30 of 38 personnel are certified paramedics; the department conducts roughly 800 initial building inspections and about 350–400 re-inspections annually. He said the division now has 38 sworn firefighters, including six lieutenants and three captains, and highlighted recent hires and promotions.

On facilities, Chappell said aging stations constrain vehicle replacement and operational flexibility. Using GIS mapping, the department has modeled response times under two- and three-station scenarios and would like to site an additional station without blocking potential economic development. "My personal goal, if it was solely up to me, I would love to see this done within the next five years," Chappell said, adding that vehicle replacement cycles (a new engine expected in 2027) increase the urgency of a new facility.

Councilmember John Hayes asked what actionable steps remained; Chappell replied that site procurement and cost estimates would be next, followed by discussions about financing such as levies. Councilmember Kevin Reisner and others asked whether staffing would come from existing crews or require new hires; Chappell said minimum manning would allow three stations under current staffing but that adding one additional person per shift would be preferable to create a battalion-level supervisory role.

Chappell discussed technology goals for 2025, including exploring artificial intelligence tools to triage 911 call clusters and improve dispatching, and said the department will continue to prioritize officer development and retention.

Council members did not take formal votes on station siting or financing at the March 3 meeting; Chappell asked for continued administrative and council support to move planning forward.

Looking ahead, Chappell asked the council to consider the infrastructure timeline and budgeting needs tied to a new station, and he welcomed further questions and partnerships on retention and capital planning.