The Start of the IAFF Local 2243
Until 1973 the citizens and businesses in Sylvania were protected by an all volunteer fire department. The volunteers provided a valuable service to the community since 1916. However the 1960's and early 1970's brought the "flock to the suburbs" and Sylvania began to grow in leaps and bounds. People from Toledo and other areas recognized the benefits of living and doing business in Sylvania.
With increased population and traffic, the number of emergency calls also increased. Employment commitments and the decline of community "volunteerism" led to a shortage of volunteer fire fighters, especially during the day, and an increase in response times. The local leaders recognized the need for a full time force and in January 1973 they hired ten people to become Sylvania's first full time fire fighters.
In June of 1973 the full time fire fighters affiliated with the International Association of Fire Fighters as Local 2243. During the next ten years Local 2243 petitioned the Township Trustees seven times to be recognized as the bargaining unit for all full time fire fighters and each time they were turned down.
In 1983 the State of Ohio passed the "Collective Bargaining Bill" and in February 1984 the township was forced to recognize Local 2243 as the sole bargaining agent of the full time fire fighters. On August 1, 1984 the first Labor Agreement is signed.
Since 1973, the number of full time fire fighter positions had increased to 60 and the number of fire stations increased from 2 to 4. Since 2003 though, due to budget restrictions, staffing has dropped to our present 52. (5 firefighters on lay-off and 3 positions open) Even with 60 fire fighters, staffing continues to be below the national standards of 4 man engine and ladder companies. The department presently does not staff any full-time 4-man engines. All stations respond with a 3 fire fighter Engine or Ladder Truck. All full time fire fighters work 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty for an average of 50 hours per week.
Sylvania Township Fire is proud to state that it was the first department in Lucas County to provide Advanced Life Support on all first-out, first responder, apparatus. That level of care has improved over the years with the hiring of additional firefighter/paramedics to support Advanced Life Support on all full-time staffed responding apparatus.
In Spring 2005, Sylvania Township Fire instituted a Basic Life Support (BLS) Transport unit, Medic 4. Previously, all Advanced Life Support (ALS) transports were handled by Lucas County EMS life squads, and basic life support calls were handled by private ambulances contracted thru Lucas County. With the addition of STFD's BLS unit, Advanced Life Support transports are still handled by Lucas County EMS, but most of the Basic Life Support calls in the Sylvania area are handled by Medic 4. This has in turn shortened on scene time for First Responders, and allowed for a shorter call-to-hospital time for the patients. Care continuity has also improved, meaning that Sylvania Fire maintains care throughout the incident, and also guaranteeing that a Paramedic is with the patient at all times, even if the patient does not require Advanced Life Support treatment. In only its first 9 months in service, Medic 4 handled over 1000 calls. Over its short service life, it brought in over $300,000 to help the fire budget, and did not cost taxpayers any more taxes, or cash money “out of pocket” to cover transport costs.
In January 2006, Sylvania Fire Fighters had a reduction in minimum firefighters/staffing on duty each day, which reduced the number of first response apparatus from 6 to 5 on minimum staffing days. These cuts were a direct result of the failure of a operating levy in the Spring of 2005. Even though the Township and City of Sylvania has continued to grow, Sylvania Fire has reduced its on-duty work force.
In January 2007, the township trustees implemented a plan that included the layoff of 5 firefighter positions (on top of the 3 that were still not filled from retirements), and the elimination of the township's BLS transport unit, which resulted in a daily staffing reduction to a minimum of 14, the lowest allowed by contract. Your Sylvania Firefighters find these actions unacceptable and are working hard for the community to bring these personnel and services back into the community.
In November 2007, with the hiring of a new fire chief from a volunteer department complete, Engine and station staffing were adjusted, further reducing available units to respond to an emergency to 4. He also started a part-time program with our present 9 part-paid volunteers, having them work shifts in the station during the evenings and weekends, while we still have 5 fire fighters on lay-off and 3 shift positions that have not been filled. That program has been stopped due to budget concerns.
Another levy goes up for a vote in March this year, with the hopes of passage this time. Plans are to hire 3 full-time fire fighter/paramedics (to help reduce the overtime budget), replace 3 of the 4 fire stations and remodel station 4 to be made into the headquarters station, and replace 3 outdated fire engines and 1 ladder truck. If the levy does not pass, the fire chief has been telling the fire fighters that station #3 would be closed and sold, and he would use the cash to maintain present staffing as long as possible.
