Wanda English Burnett - Editor

A collective meeting between Osgood, Napoleon, Delaware fire departments and Task Unit One had one theme - working together to promote the best emergency service for the area.

The need for volunteer first responders and people to man the extrication truck for Task Unit 1 in the daytime has reached an all time high. Present member and outgoing president of Task Unit 1, Doug Wright, told the group that met last week, “Daytime coverage is critical. We need first responders and people to run extrication.” He said that most of the members of the Task Unit at this time are employed out of the area during the daytime, making it hard to get to every run.

Bill Warren, Center Township trustee, moderated the meeting beginning with, “We all need to work together as a unit - all the fire departments and Task Unit 1.” He continued by saying that due to a lack of volunteers, especially during daytime hours, that Task Unit 1, the all volunteer extrication team that covers Jackson, Delaware and Center townships, is in need of help. He noted that they are partially funded through the fire territory created for the three townships and sometimes can’t meet the need for daytime calls for help. He asked the three fire departments if there were members that would be interested in joining the Task Unit.

Shawn Negangard, serving in an advisory board capacity for Task Unit 1 noted that not everyone who wants to fight fires necessarily wants to be involved with EMS. It’s always been a fine line and he recognizes that not everyone is suited for both. While many of the members of Task Unit have been fire fighters in the past, it was noted that you do not have to be on a fire department to be a volunteer for Task Unit 1. “Anyone can volunteer,” noted Kim Meyer, from the Napoleon Fire Department. Anyone who lives within the three townships - Delaware, Jackson, and Center, can become a member of Task Unit 1.

At a previous meeting members of the Delaware Fire Department had asked Warren if there would be any funding for their members to train as first responders. They were told, “no.” Ron Bushhorn, fire chief for Delaware told the group last week, “We don’t need the funding now, we got grants on our own.” Taking a proactive stance, the department went ahead and offered the training to its members and now have some first response for the area they serve. Bushhorn noted they would be willing to help Task Unit 1 with first response calls if they were toned out.

Negangard asked Bushhorn why the Delaware Fire Department didn’t want to work with the task unit. Bushhorn eluded to past grievances and said, “Delaware seems to be on the bottom.” He suggested that task unit continue as they are and other departments help as a mutual aid. Randy Einhaus, vice-president for Delaware said they had made many changes over the years and said, “We may not do it exactly as someone else, but if we’re home and people need us, we’ll be there.” He said their fire company was dedicated to helping the community they serve and will continue to do that.

Linda Krinop, a citizen in attendance at the meeting and an Osgood Town Board member told the group, “I can tell you as a citizen, I don’t care where you’re from. If I need you, I want you there.” She said she felt any hard feelings from the past should be put behind them, and all agencies should work together for the good of the community.

Jason Smith, incoming president for Task Unit 1 noted that he was willing to meet with all the fire chiefs separately or together and work on the relationship of becoming one. A veteran of emergency medical services, and long time Task Unit 1 member, Smith said the goal is to provide the best service possible and knows that members of Task Unit have worked hard to have such a team in place for extrication needs. He also praised the fire departments and said he feels they can work together.

Warren noted that he felt all the first responders should be trained the same and felt it would be best if they were under one unit. “We want it to operate under one unit,” he told the group. He said they were asking that all the first responders from the Osgood, Delaware and Napoleon fire departments work through the Task Unit.

While many issues were hashed about at the meeting held at the Osgood Town Hall on January 9, the individual fire department heads left saying they would present the information to their members and see what they could work out. They will come together for another meeting the second Tuesday of February - the 13th - at 7:00 p.m. to further discuss options. In the meantime, if anyone is interested in joining Task Unit 1, they should contact the office at 689-1111 and leave a message, or stop by the building at 327 N. Buckeye St., Osgood. The group meets on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m.

Trustees from the three townships involved came together and formed a Board of Directors for Task Unit 1 at a meeting held in December of last year. Shawn Negangard will represent Task Unit 1; Larry Black, Center Township; Mike Schuler, Jackson Township; and Jeff Volz for the Town of Osgood. It was noted that there is still one slot open - a representative for Delaware Township.

Warren noted that when the issues are resolved and the groups are working together, the trustees will pull out and let the advisory board work with the agencies involved.