FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET

Strategizing for best outcomes in fire staffing

The West Chester Fire Department is funded primarily by voter-approved levies. After about 16 years, the Township sought and won approval from voters in 2020 for a new 2.0 mill to support fire services. This levy now generates about $14.8 million in revenue through property taxes.

End of year figures and 2022 budget were not ready at the time of this publication, but typical annual expenditures for Fire & EMS are about $14 million.

Staffing and equipment make up the most significant portion of the Fire Department’s expenses. Turnout gear for firefighters can cost about $3,000 each and the department has 150 sets. This is just the firefighter coats and pants – not helmets, gloves, boots etc. Replacement of this equipment is required every 10 years and each firefighter gets two sets of gear for firefighter safety.

Holiday Recycling

The holidays generate all sorts of stuff – boxes, decorations, gift wrap. Please remember to discard these items responsibly and recycle when appropriate.

West Chester Township’s recycling centers accept cardboard boxes, but please make sure boxes are broken down and fully disposed of in the recycling bins. DO NOT leave items outside of the bins.

Most holiday gift wrap and bows are NOT accepted for recycling. These should be placed in your regular trash.

Christmas trees will be accepted for recycling through the end of January at two West Chester Township parks.

Trees should be cleared of all decorations and should not be wrapped in plastic as this requires extra time when mulching. Garland, wreaths and artificial trees will not be accepted. Trees will be chipped and mulch will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks. Any remaining mulch will be discarded responsibly.

Tree drop-off locations are Keehner Park on Barret Road, near the athletic courts; and at Beckett Park, off Union Centre Boulevard, in the parking area just before the gates. Please look for signs designating the correct drop-off spot.

The Christmas tree recycling collection is for a limited time and is only for live holiday trees. Other yard debris is not accepted.

In terms of the large apparatus required, a medic unit costs about $280,000 to replace and a fire engine can be as much as$600,000 to $800,000.

While these may not be annual expenses, they are costs of doing business in the fire industry.

The West Chester Fire Department does benefit from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Funds which can cover qualifying infrastructure costs such as the 2021 construction of the Duff Road Fire Station and the purchase of replacement fire apparatus.

“TIF makes it possible for us to not always dip into levy funds for these types of big ticket items,” said Fire Chief Rick Prinz. “Our goal is to always make a levy last as long as possible while still providing the best service to the community.”

Part-time staffing continues to be a challenge for the department with recruiting and retention a high priority. The Department has a complement of 47 part-time firefighters which is rarely filled as a result of continuous movement among this group. There are also 63 career firefighter positions.

The Fire Department continues to be innovative and provide solutions for attracting and retaining the best workforce, while developing the most fiscally responsible strategies for staffing five fire stations, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A new staffing proposal may be considered for 2022 that could help reduce overtime and added personnel costs. About 82% of the Fire Department’s budget goes to personnel expenses.

The West Chester Fire Department responds to nearly 8,000 calls for service each year and more than half of these are EMS calls, conducts about 3,300 fire inspections and reviews nearly 600 construction plans each year.

Fire Prevention Education Programs & Inspections Play Critical Role in Fire Department Services

The opportunities to meet and talk with community members about fire prevention and educate them about fire safety and CPR/first aid are a critical part of fire crews’ work.

Fire crews meet with all age groups whenever possible to share safety messages. October marks the official fire prevention week, but this type of education is really a year-round effort.

“Cooking fires make up the largest number of fires we see in West Chester,” said Fire Captain Scott Brooks. “Educating our residents about cooking safely became the focus of our fire prevention week activities, but the advice is critical year round and especially during the holiday season.”

A full guide on cooking safety is available at www.westchesteroh.org/Fire.

The winter months also present unique dangers with home heating, space heaters and great potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Your house should only be heated with a system designed for that purpose and that system should be inspected regularly,” Capt. Brooks said. “Space heaters should only be used in a very limited way and they should be unplugged and turned off when unattended.” For more on heating safety, visit www.westchesteroh.org/Fire