Chippewa Lake fire and sheriff reports show rising calls; new siren installed with state grant

The Village of Chippewa Lakes Safety Committee reported rising emergency responses during the Jan. 13 meeting, and officials described recent investments intended to improve response capacity.

Alan Robbins, reporting for Safety, read the sheriffs monthly activity: deputies logged 84 hours in December (vs. 80 scheduled) and described a change that consolidates business checks into a single category. Deputy Harhay confirmed that the new reporting line lists all "checks" under one category. Robbins and Deputy Harhay reminded residents to call the sheriffs office rather than posting suspected incidents on social media.

Assistant Fire Chief Holzman reported the department handled 59 calls in December, seven of which were in Chippewa Lake. For 2024 the department responded to 729 calls (versus about 500—600 the prior year), with 73% categorized as EMS; the reported average turnout time for the year was 2 minutes and 5 seconds. With passage of a new tax levy, Holzman said the department is looking to staff three personnel on call 24 hours per day. The minutes also note outreach activities: 127 Santa-visit stops, an upcoming blood drive at the firehouse, and plans for a spring pancake breakfast and the Polar Bear Jump in February, which doubles as a training exercise for fire and sheriff staff.

Alan Robbins reported the village completed a siren purchase and installation using a $35,000 grant that covered equipment, installation and a five-year maintenance warranty; the Village absorbed $17.90 beyond the grant amount. Robbins thanked Ohio Senator Romanchuks office for assisting the village in securing the grant.

The reports were received as informational items in the meeting minutes; no formal council action on staffing or equipment purchase was recorded beyond the grant close-out.