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Norwich Fire Department reports mutual-aid activity, reviews proposed Amazon smokehouse donation and approves new hire
Summary
Fire Chief Dave Baird reported mutual-aid exchanges with Columbus and others, described a proposed $200,000 smokehouse donation from Amazon under review, and the Board approved a conditional offer for Laura Black at $64,000 pending background checks.
Norwich Township’s Fire Chief, Dave Baird, reported April 21 that mutual-aid activity shows Norwich received mutual aid from the City of Columbus five times and Jefferson Township once, while Norwich provided mutual aid to the City of Columbus 55 times; Chief Baird characterized the reciprocal aid numbers as lower than in past records.
Chief Baird described a proposed $200,000 donation from Amazon for a smokehouse to support fire-prevention efforts. Trustee Trish Barker asked whether Amazon would install an exterior meter on its data center and raised general questions about corporate partnerships; Trustee Brian Rothenberg expressed concern about accepting a donation because of an ongoing dispute regarding AWS fuel cells. Chief Baird told the Board the department would continue work on the fuel-cell dispute while evaluating the donation.
Separately, the Board approved a conditional offer of employment for Laura Black with a salary of $64,000, contingent on a BCI fingerprint background check via the Hilliard Police Department and a start date anticipated on May 4, 2026. The motion to approve the conditional offer passed unanimously.
Chief Baird and Assistant Chief Jake Wells also provided details about the annual fire union flower sale scheduled for May 7–9, 2026 at two Hilliard locations, which Trustee Barker had announced during new business. There was no Board opposition recorded to the sale announcement or the conditional hire.
