We are NOT asking for a levy. Please read the statement from Rob Platte, Jersey Township Administrator.
“We have been made aware that the voting ballots issued by the Board of Elections for Jersey Township inadvertently list a levy issue in Precinct B. Voters in Precinct B could see a Fire and EMS levy listed on their ballots in error. The Renewal Levy for Fire and EMS services on the Jersey Township ballot only applies to residents in the northern half of Jersey designated as Precinct A. The Board of Elections has made Jersey aware that any votes cast in Precinct B for the levy will not be counted. Votes in Precinct A will be the only valid votes."
The West Licking Joint Fire District was established on January 1, 1982, through the collaboration of the Pataskala Volunteer Fire Department and the Tri-Village Association, which included Etna, Lima, Harrison, and Jersey Townships. Later that year, the Kirkersville Fire Department joined the District, forming the foundation of the department we know today—serving 109 square miles of central Ohio.
From 1982 to 2017, the District operated three fire stations. Today, we proudly operate five stations, staffed 24/7 by 70 full-time and 15 part-time firefighter/paramedics. Our newest stations—Station 404 on Taylor Road and Station 405 in Jersey Township—opened in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
We protect a diverse and growing population, including:
Our jurisdiction includes:
In 2018, we responded to nearly 6,000 emergency calls. Our firefighters are trained to handle everything from residential fires and farm equipment incidents to industrial emergencies. We also provide mutual aid to departments across Licking and surrounding counties and are proud members of the Ohio Mutual Aid Agreement.
While fire incidents have decreased thanks to prevention and early detection, hands-on training remains essential. Live fire training helps our firefighters stay sharp, safe, and ready for any situation. However, access to facilities like the Ohio Fire Academy is limited, with wait times exceeding 18 months.
To meet this need, we propose building a container-style live fire training facility at Station 402 in Etna. This facility will:
At West Licking Joint Fire District, we take pride in our commitment to excellence. Our firefighters are held to the highest standards, and we believe the best way to stay prepared is to train consistently and train together.