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Norwich Township approves fire apparatus purchase, medics and fitness program
Summary
Trustees approved purchase of a new Sutphen engine, ordered additional medic units and extended a health-and-fitness program for the fire department while appointing a volunteer chaplain and recording multiple promotions and hires in 2006.
The Norwich Township Board of Trustees approved a package of fire-department procurements, personnel moves and health-program spending over 2006 that trustees and the fire chief said were intended to improve emergency response and firefighter safety.
Fire Chief Dave Long recommended a new Sutphen engine built to state term pricing, with a base truck cost of $368,473.61 plus a compressed-air foam system ($31,569.00), for a total of $400,069.61; trustees approved the purchase using General Fund dollars (motion recorded R-04-06). The minutes note the apparatus’ build time at approximately 12 months.
Trustees also approved purchases and contracts for emergency medical response: a medic ordered in 2005 was reported ready for delivery; trustees later approved an additional medic purchase (R-09-06) and authorized contracts for a medical director with The Ohio State University Hospital at $24,000 per year (R-10-06). The department reported receipt of grant-funded portable radios and mobile units, and FEMA reimbursement tied to deployment operations.
On personnel and department support, Chief Long recommended and trustees accepted Pastor Brad Kochis as a volunteer chaplain to provide counseling, funeral support and morale services to members (R-3-06). The board recorded multiple promotions and hires following executive sessions (R-29-06, R-30-06, R-41-06). Trustees also approved purchases of heart-monitor replacement equipment and AEDs for the department (R-54-06).
Health and wellness: trustees approved a one-year pilot of a Mt. Carmel health-and-wellness program for fire personnel at a startup cost of $104,644; the board later approved continuation of a physical fitness program in 2007 with FEMA grant support, leaving an estimated township cost of approximately $43,000 (R-23-06; later R-77-06).
What happens next: Equipment delivery timing varies—engine build ~12 months; medic delivery dates were tracked by the chief. Trustees asked staff to coordinate budgets and grant offsets and to prepare any contracts for county or university partners.
Speakers cited in the minutes include Fire Chief Dave Long; Trustees Chuck Buck, Jim Rice and Larry Earman.
