Delhi fire chief credits working smoke detectors and closed doors for limiting damage in bedroom fire; trustees approve fire contracts and grant-funded gear

Delhi Township—s fire chief reported that a structure fire the previous Wednesday was contained to a single bedroom after smoke detectors alerted occupants and the bedroom door remained closed, allowing all six residents and three pets to escape before crews arrived. The chief emphasized residential fire-safety basics: replace smoke detectors every 10 years, test them monthly, change batteries at time changes, and "close before you doze" to buy lifesaving time.

At the meeting trustees accepted a $5,736 donation given in memory of Jim Metz to cover the matching expense required by the 2025 Ohio BWC FEEG grant and accepted the voluntary resignation of part-time firefighter/EMT Nolan A. Burwinkle effective Nov. 3, 2025. Trustees also authorized the fire department to enter a time-and-attendance contract with TCP (resolution 2025-202) and approved a larger administrative resolution to permit expenditures related to gear dryers (resolution 2025-204) that are to be covered via grant and private donations. The board further approved a three-year renewal collective-bargaining agreement with Township Professional Firefighters, Local 3389 (resolution 2025-205).

The chief walked trustees through operational timings from dispatch to water-on-fire and stressed prevention and life-safety priorities: "Smoke detectors save life," the chief said, and demonstrated why keeping bedroom doors closed can reduce heat and smoke in adjoining rooms to survivable levels.

Staff also reported the department—s open house turnout and a reminder that Station 33 provides safe lithium-battery disposal services for residents.

Provenance: Donation motion and related resolutions considered at 01:12:00; structure-fire safety presentation begins at 01:19:03.

Speakers quoted: Fire chief (unnamed in transcript), trustees.