Tiffin Fire Rescue says calls are up 25% since 2018, credits new 24-on/72-off schedule for recruitment gains

Fire Chief Chappell told the Tiffin City Council on July 20 that emergency call volume has grown sharply in recent years, rising from 3,085 incidents in 2018 to 3,872 in 2025. "Our call volume continues to grow," Chappell said, citing an aging population, growth in assisted-living facilities and two local universities as drivers of higher demand for emergency medical services.

To address staffing and recruitment challenges, the Fire Rescue Division transitioned from a 24/48 schedule to a 24-on/72-off model, reorganized from three crews to four and added officer positions. Chappell said the change has already produced results: the department’s most recent hiring campaign yielded 41 applicants, including seven lateral hires. "The schedule alone will not solve every staffing challenge, but it has given us a strategic advantage," he said.

Chappell emphasized EMS as the division’s largest workload, reporting that the department transported 2,293 patients in the past 12 months and that EMS-related revenue exceeded $1,000,000 in 2025 for the first time. He also described operational strains when incidents overlap, noting nearly 80 recalls in 2025 to supplement staffing. Council members thanked the chief and asked about practical impacts of the scheduling change; Chappell acknowledged temporary minimum manning reductions and the training burden of many new hires but said he is confident the division will return to desired staffing levels.

Next steps Chappell identified include continuing recruitment and retention efforts, monitoring effects of the new schedule on overtime and wellness, and further training and officer development. The chief said the division will continue to evaluate metrics such as call overlap and response times to guide staffing and resource decisions.