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Hiram chief reports coverage gaps, outlines ISO remediation plan
Summary
Chief Marotta told the council he found multiple instances in 2023–2025 where the fire department’s records show no coverage and described immediate steps — new hires, raises for medics, training and a temporary mutual-aid policy — and a one-year remediation plan after an anticipated unfavorable ISO report.
Chief Marotta reported to the Hiram Village Council that his review of department electronic records found multiple instances in 2023, 2024 and 2025 where there was no recorded coverage. He said his search was not exhaustive and that further instances may exist.
The chief described a set of corrective actions already underway: two recent firefighter/EMT hires, raises for medics, established documentation and training tracking, and a temporary policy to notify mutual aid if there is no response within four minutes of an initial call (the previous practice had been to wait eight minutes before mutual aid was contacted). He said response times were faster during a 33-hour department shutdown in March when calls routed immediately to mutual aid.
Marotta said he has met with the dispatch center and with an Insurance Services Office (ISO) representative to discuss the department’s status. He told the council the forthcoming ISO report “will not be positive,” and that the department expects a one-year remediation period during which training coordination with neighboring Troy and other corrective steps will be implemented.
The chief reported the department roster currently lists 16 employees with two on leave, and that trainings and documentation are being emphasized to improve performance and records. The council took no formal policy vote on the report itself; the presentation served as an informational update and a notice that corrective work and monitoring will continue.
Why this matters: ISO ratings can affect insurance classifications and local property insurance costs, and documented coverage gaps raise public-safety concerns. The council retained oversight authority while monitoring implementation of the remediation plan.
