LEVY INFORMATION – OCTOBER 23, 2024
To the Residents of West Licking Joint Fire District
I am writing to you again to discuss an important ballot issue. As I mentioned earlier, in the coming days, we will share a series of letters to provide detailed information about the District’s growth, staffing, and financial standing. Our goal is to ensure you have the facts before you cast your vote. In the first letter released on October 21st, I discussed the proposed levy and the current levies. Now, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you about what makes up the West Licking Joint Fire District and the services we strive to protect.
Our District: A Ten-Year Overview
Many residents may not realize the size and scope of the West Licking Joint Fire District. I would like to show you a ten-year time frame dating back to 2014 and show the growth of the logistical side of the Fire District, fire stations, apparatus and medics, staffing, services, and run data.
We cover over 120 plus square miles, including the City of Pataskala, the Licking County portion of Reynoldsburg, parts of New Albany, the townships of Etna, Harrison, and Jersey. The District also services the villages of Hebron and Kirkersville. Additionally, we serve southern Union Township through a contracted agreement.
Services We Provide
The services we offer are far-reaching and essential. In addition to Advanced Life Support and critical care, CPR, first aid, automatic defibrillator classes, and community health. Heavy rescue including personal and commercial vehicles, farm rescue, trench rescue, rope rescue, swift and still water rescue. Fire investigation, fire inspections and plan review, juvenile fire setting program, fire safety in the home and business, and foster home inspections. Hazardous materials response. Mass casualty response with law enforcement. Industrial firefighting and technical rescue. Community event coverage including fireworks, Easter egg hunts, fairs, and many other events are too numerous to mention.
Call Volume Growth
Over the last decade, the number of emergency calls has doubled. In 2014, the District responded to just over 4,600 calls. In 2024, we are nearing 9,000 calls per year—24 calls per day on average! These calls range from assisting a resident who’s fallen to responding to large-scale incidents like house fires or severe motor vehicle accidents. An increasing trend shows emergency incidents overlapping; a staggering 82% of the time multiple calls are being handled by the District at once!
Station Locations and Fleet
In 2014, the District operated three fire houses. Station 401 in Pataskala, Station 402 located at the corner of York and State Route 40, and station 403 located on Mink Street. The District constantly monitors our calls for emergency service in both run volume specific to a certain area and the time it takes for an emergency vehicle to first arrive on scene. With that data, it was more than obvious that there was a dramatic increase in calls for help in our Western borders of Reynoldsburg, Etna Township and the City of Pataskala. The District decided to rent 3 storage spaces off Taylor road to get precious lifesaving services to those residents in under 4 minutes. It was quickly determined that not only did the run volume dictate a need, but response times were cut by 40-60%. In January of 2024, eight years after opening a fire station that was housed in a three-car garage, the District took possession of a new fire house just across the street.
Next in 2018 the District took on lowering the response for the northwest area of our District that serviced Jersey Township and Pataskala. Fire Station 405 was constructed with the same thought process and evaluation. Response times to that area often exceed ten minutes with no fire station to house equipment and staffing. The District firmly believed that those residents deserved the same efficient services that other communities had been receiving. Commercial development and numerous massive warehouses were set to engulf the entire area as well.
The District supports the following front line apparatus: 3 fire trucks, 2 rescues, and 1 100’ tower. It has 6 medic units, one swift water response truck and boat, one still water boat, and one command vehicle for the shift officer. It also houses a hazardous response truck for the Licking county EMA.
Staffing Growth
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We are grateful for your continued support as we strive to provide the best possible emergency services to our community.
In 2014, the District had one fire chief, 2 assistant chiefs, 2 fire marshals/inspectors, 56 career firefighter/paramedics, and roughly 20 part-time firefighters. Also support staff of a fiscal officer and a administrative professional. Now In 2024 the District has one fire chief, 2 assistant chiefs, 4 fire marshal/inspectors, 95 career firefighters, and roughly 25 part-time firefighters. The support staff consists of the fiscal officer, administrative professional, and two mechanics.
We encourage you to continue learning about the levy and how it will impact the Fire District’s operations. In future letters, we will outline how the current funds are utilized and what the new levy will support.
Yours in service,
Jack A Treinish Jr.
Fire Chief
Proud Resident for over Twenty Years