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Public Safety Committee backs ordinance to renew countywide Fire/EMS mutual-aid agreement
Summary
Committee voted to move to Council an ordinance authorizing the Director of Public Safety to enter a Mutual Aid Agreement with Medina County jurisdictions for Fire and EMS mutual aid; Chiefs said language now includes All Hazard response and the agreement was reviewed by county and city legal counsel.
The Public Safety Committee voted on April 8 to forward an ordinance to full Council authorizing the Director of Public Safety to enter a Mutual Aid Agreement with political subdivisions in Medina County for Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Director Dan Chafin said the agreement formalizes standard mutual-aid practice and had been reviewed by the County Prosecutor’s office and the City Law Director.
Chief Bob Lindner emphasized that no single department can handle all calls and that mutual-aid partners are essential for large or rural incidents, noting the January Blake Road structure fire required tanker runs because hydrants were not available. Chafin said the new agreement adds explicit "All Hazard" language (confined space, rope rescue, technical resources) that the previous 2021 document lacked. Council Member Jeanne Hines moved to send the legislation to Council and Council Member Angela May seconded; "All were in favor. MOTION CARRIED."
Chafin explained that the agreement allows the Officer in Charge of a responding agency to accept or decline resource requests depending on that agency’s operational load. The agreement takes effect once all participating legislative bodies sign, and Chacin said he hoped completion by late April or early May 2026.
