Jerome Township officials and residents heard a much-awaited presentation from Fire Chief Douglas Stewart Tuesday night regarding the need for an aerial ladder truck.
“The need dates back to way before I became fire chief,” Stewart said, adding that a previous chief began working on a proposal to purchase an aerial ladder when the plans for Jerome Village came to the township over a decade ago.
Prior to his presentation, several residents spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting to express frustration with the postponement of the presentation.
Stewart initially prepared to deliver a presentation with a recommendation for the purchase of a ladder truck on July 7, but the trustees voted unanimously to table the presentation.
During the board’s Aug. 1 meeting, they again declined to hear his presentation but agreed to later hear one that excluded a recommendation.
“I’ve got to tell you, it was painful to hear the back and forth” between trustees when tabling Stewart’s comments, said Lynda Chapman, a McKitrick Road resident.
Several residents also urged the board to consider Stewart’s recommendation when selecting which manufacturer from which to purchase the ladder truck.
Andy Diamond, of Spruce Court, said he was “very anxious” to hear Stewart’s “expert opinion.” Chapman echoed his comments in adding that residents trust Stewart with the maintenance and procurement of equipment for his fire department.
Trustee Wezlynn Davis emphasized that “not a single one of us is anti-aerial ladder truck” but she wanted more information about the basic need before hearing a specific recommendation.
Stewart spent his presentation Tuesday elaborating on the reasons he feels a ladder truck is needed by the Jerome Township Division of Fire.
He emphasized that “height is just one aspect of the need” for an aerial ladder.
The fire chief added that ladder trucks respond to situations at commercial or industrial, agricultural and residential buildings.
He noted that many homes in the township are larger than some commercial buildings, but do not require the installation of a sprinkler system, which puts them more at risk.
Ideally, Stewart said aerial ladder trucks should respond to any structure fire, commercial fire alarms or technical rescue, such as a grain bin, trench, water or confined space rescue.
However, JTFD does not currently request mutual aid to respond to commercial fire alarms, as Stewart said he does not feel it is right to “overburden them” when Jerome Township cannot reciprocate.
He used a recent structure fire on Waterford Way as an example of the need for the equipment and the issues that arise when dependent on mutual aid.
JTFD crews responded to the house, which was under construction and approximately one month from completion, in under five minutes, Stewart said. He said firefighters were “begging” mutual aid for an aerial ladder truck and it took the Marysville Division of Fire 17.5 minutes to arrive.
He emphasized that he was not faulting other departments, as longer response times are to be expected from mutual aid stations that are farther away and must handle their own calls.
Still, Stewart said the home was considered a “total loss,” amounting to about $2.4 million in damages.
“Waterford Way was not a unique fire by any means,” he said.
As more homes and businesses continue to be built in Jerome Township, Stewart said he expects the demands on the fire department – and the need for an aerial ladder truck – to grow.
He noted that JTFD had 207 responses in 2017. That number grew to 430 in 2021, according to annual reports, and the fire department had 213 responses in the first six months of this year.
Davis thanked Stewart for his presentation, adding that she felt it was important to provide the information to residents who may question the need for a ladder truck, although the fire chief said he has not had “a single resident question the need.”
Trustee Barry Adler thanked Stewart for his “professional expertise.”
He said he feels it is important to hear a recommendation for the purchase and make a decision “as soon as possible.”
Stewart estimated that a purchase order for an aerial ladder truck would take between 18 and 24 months to be fulfilled.
In other business:
– The board heard from Spruce Court resident Andy Herb, who said he is a shareholder and employee of Sutphen.
He urged the trustees to consider purchasing a ladder truck from Sutphen, as he said the company has roots in the area and employs a number of local individuals.
He also personally attested to the safety of the company’s ladder trucks and noted that the nearby Eiterman Road corporate headquarters would allow for easy maintenance.
While Stewart did not formally give a presentation with a recommendation to the board, he did provide them with a physical copy of the PowerPoint in July. The Journal-Tribune obtained a copy through a public records request.
Based on responses to a questionnaire from Sutphen and Pierce Manufacturing, Stewart, in his presentation, recommended the company purchase an aerial ladder truck from Pierce. He said in a previous meeting that “safety was number one” when considering options.
– The board unanimously approved Section 3 of the Glacier Pointe residential development, which will consist of 17.27 acres within the planned development.
Zoning Inspector Eric Snowden said this section will have 44 single-family lots and “a reserve.”
– Trustees responded to concerns from Bob Chapman, of McKitrick Road, who said he was “disappointed” when the Parks and Trails Committee was disbanded earlier this year.
Trustee Chair Megan Sloat said she also sees the importance of work surrounding connectivity in the community, but feels it will be “more efficient” once a township administrator is hired to coordinate efforts between departments.
Davis added that a rewrite of the comprehensive plan is underway, which will likely encompass work on parks and trails. She said she feels the consultant who leads the project will do community outreach to ensure residents are involved.