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Orrville reports record 2025 fire calls; utilities director describes small lithium-battery tool-crib fire
Summary
City officials reported the fire department handled a record 1,337 calls in 2025 and the utilities director described a small lithium-battery fire at a tool crib that damaged specialty tools; police reports for 2025 were also summarized and the finance director said the 2024 audit was approved.
City officials told the Orrville City Council on Jan. 5 that public-safety and utility operations saw notable year-end changes and a minor on-site fire.
Safety-service Director Wheeler reported that the fire department closed 2025 with a new record of 1,337 calls, an increase of 120 calls from 2024. Wheeler also said the police department ended 2025 with 232 criminal reports — 10 more than in 2024 but 54 fewer than in 2023 — and that department chiefs will provide a more detailed annual breakdown in coming months. “Our fire department finished 2025 with a new record of 1,337 calls,” Wheeler said during the report.
Utilities Director Greniger described a small fire in the utility tool crib caused when “one of our lithium batteries on one of our handrails caught on fire,” producing smoke and smoke damage to tools; he estimated the department lost several thousand dollars’ worth of specialty measuring and alignment tools and said the fire department’s quick response prevented a larger incident. Greniger said staff are still assessing damage and expected cleanup and repair over the next week and thanked crews for their response. He also introduced Assistant Utility Director Dave Fillippe, who will begin attending council meetings as Greniger moves toward retirement later in the year.
Finance Director Drummond said the state auditor released and approved the city’s 2024 audit and the associated ACPER; the audit will be posted to the city website and Orrville awaits notification on whether it will receive the Government Finance Officers Association award for excellence in financial reporting.
No formal policy action or budget decisions were taken on these reports; council members recorded the informational reports and moved on to other agenda items.
