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Hiram council discusses Fire/EMS staffing, a disputed EMS invoice and shift of dispatch services
Summary
Council heard that the fire department conducted new training, scheduled two public Q&A sessions, debated a $500 discrepancy in a Community EMS invoice but approved full payment, and learned that dispatching will move from Mantua to Streetsboro in late May.
Hiram Village Council spent part of its April 21 meeting on public-safety matters, including Fire/EMS staffing, billing questions with Community EMS and upcoming dispatch changes.
Mayor Anne Haynam reported that under new leadership Chief Marotta completed a live pump test for the fire department and that public Q&A sessions are scheduled for May 13 and 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hiram Fire Department to discuss department issues and staffing with residents.
Council discussed a $2,300 payment to Community EMS and noted a $500 discrepancy tied to earlier statements by Chief Sanchez about paying an hourly rate for two additional staff while records suggested there were times with only one additional staff present. Council discussed requiring more specific documentation for such invoices in the future but ultimately declined to reopen the March motion and authorized full payment of the invoice as recorded in the minutes.
Chief Clemens addressed constituent concerns about evidence disposal by burning on Village property, saying the department's procedure is legal and standard but that he will identify an alternative location for future occurrences. Clemens also confirmed that the contract with the Mantua Police Department ends June 30, 2026, and that Hiram's dispatch services will move to Streetsboro's dispatch at the end of May.
Next steps include the public Fire/EMS Q&A sessions and administrative follow-up on invoice documentation procedures and the relocation of evidence disposal activities.
