Hamilton Township fire chief briefs South Lebanon council on rising calls, equipment needs and proposed levy

Fire Chief Jason Jewett of Hamilton Township told the South Lebanon City Council on May 21 that his department is seeing sustained increases in emergency responses tied to rapid population growth and new residential developments.

"We're doing roughly around 3,500 calls a year per service," Jewett said, and noted that in the South Lebanon coverage area the department recorded 88 runs so far this year (16 fire, 72 EMS). He said call volume has increased roughly 6–7% annually and that township population has grown from about 9,700 in 2000 to more than 33,000 today.

Jewett described the department's staffing and apparatus: 34 full‑time personnel, two staffed stations covering the city (Station 76 and Station 77), recent purchases that include a 2025 Pierce aerial ladder (approximately $1,500,000), and planned ambulance and support vehicle replacements. He said some older apparatus were taken out of service and others replaced to maintain coverage.

The chief outlined near‑term projects driven by a strategic plan: replacement of aging self‑contained breathing apparatuses (air packs) that are about 12 years old — the department plans to pursue a federal grant that would cover about 90% of replacement costs — and fiscal changes such as adding a dedicated EMS chase car and a smaller pump/attack vehicle for areas with tight access.

On funding, Jewett said the department expects to pursue a levy in coordination with township trustees, aiming for a fall 2027 ballot. He gave a planning range of roughly 1.8–1.9 mills and noted that, in the department's response area, 1 mill is about $1.6 million, which informs the levy sizing.

Jewett said Station 77, built in 2000, needs replacement or substantial modification, and the township owns nearby land where expansion could occur. He projected a 5–7 year timeline for adding a third station in response to growth in the Stryker/Grandin area. Absent added resources, Jewett warned, mutual aid will increasingly be necessary to maintain response times.

Council members asked about the drivers of higher call volumes and the timetable for levy placement. Jewett cited new subdivisions, apartment complexes and assisted‑living and nursing facilities coming online as major factors.

The presentation concluded with council members thanking the chief; Jewett said staff will return if council wants further updates.

The council moved on to other agenda items; no formal vote or action on a levy was taken at the May 21 meeting.