CENTERBURG — Residents of Hilliar and Milford townships and Centerburg village shared honest but respectful thoughts at the Aug. 17 meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District board.
Fire Chief Mark McCann started the meeting with a presentation titled “Economics & Life Safety.” It included a snapshot of growth in the village between spring 2019 when McCann joined the district and the present.
McCann also highlighted improvements in firefighter and district safety. Improvements range from decreasing cancer risk and instituting an annual firefighter physical exam to additional hydrant placement and reducing costs for turnout gear.
The chief said his presentation was in response to comments that allege his enforcement of the fire code is inhibiting village and township economic growth. McCann has recently come under fire from Hilliar Township and village officials for how he enforces fire regulations.
Due to a deployment in the department, McCann was doing double-duty as chief and code inspector. Lt. Jason Whipple recently started doing the inspections.
Milford Township Trustee George Blocker noted that Whipple had addressed some miscommunication with businesses since assuming the inspections.
One resident asked about the possibility mentioned of eliminating the district and aligning with Hartford Fire Department.
“It’s really important for us to have a quick response time,” she said.
McCann said Knox County 911 would not dispatch calls if the district becomes part of Hartford. In addition, COJFD has 17 approved full-time firefighters compared to Hartford’s three or four.
Additionally, residents’ insurance rates will increase the farther a property owner is from the fire department. McCann cited as an example former Fire Chief Joe Porter’s premium, which increased by $342 when Liberty Township left the district and contracted with the Mount Vernon Fire Department.
Another Milford resident said she thinks residents are fortunate to have the COJFD and that McCann is trying to follow the rules and keep residents safe.
“I guess I can’t imagine why any of the entities would want to leave the district,” she said.
Centerburg Councilwoman Saundra Dove said she was surprised when the Hilliar Township trustees wanted council to vote no-confidence in the chief and also when the idea of joining Hartford was mentioned.
As a councilwoman, she said she would vote in favor of staying with the COJFD.
Milford Township has repeatedly said it stands solidly behind the COJFD.
Former 20-year Hilliar Township Trustee Don McCracken said that part of the problem is “the presentation of what we have to do,” and noted that personalities play a role.
“I’d like to have the fire department stay, but it needs run with a little humility,” he said. “Not everything is black and white. You have to be flexible.”
Another resident agreed, saying, “You have to follow rules and codes. You can have gray areas, but you can work with people.”
She added that she stands behind the COJFD.
Jared Compton of Compton Evans Cabinet Works expressed frustration at the lack of communication from the state and the feeling that he’s being told “these are the rules” rather than McCann attempting to work things out. He built an expanded shop on Columbus Road two years ago but has yet to receive permission to use it.
“When I look at the rules, it seems like there’s tons of room for interpretation,” he said. “I think we need a little discretion.
“I need someone to be my advocate,” he added.
Acknowledging he is a “rules guy,” McCann said he has conceded a lot. For example, he’s allowed a gravel driveway around a building vs. requiring asphalt or concrete.
“We do a lot to try and understand what it takes to keep things safe but still keep flexible,” he said. “I understand some business owners will push back, but I have not received one formal complaint.”
McCann noted that he has a lot of discretion in some areas, but when it comes to new construction, the Ohio Department of Commerce creates the rules.
“If I think you are endangering a life, I will do everything in my power to protect public safety,” he said.
Crystal McElhaney, fiscal officer for Milford Township, referenced the lack of information about leaving COJFD and joining Hartford Fire Department in township minutes.
“As a taxpayer, what I need is for the elected officials to talk to each other. We need open, honest meetings,” she said.
