GAMBIER — A committee is currently reviewing the needs of the College Township Fire Department which serves College and Monroe townships, the village of Gambier and Kenyon College. The committee’s goal is to be proactive by considering the department’s current and future manpower needs.
The committee includes representatives from both townships, a representative from Kenyon College, the fire chief and the assistant, a resident from each township, and a firefighter from each township. Options which the committee could consider include joint services with the Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District, contracting with Mount Vernon or EKCJFD fire departments, or adding paid firefighters.
It’s a 24 hour a day, seven day a week commitment and becoming an EMT requires a state minimum of 132 hours of training with an additional 40 hours of training within three years for a basic EMT. Finding volunteers to cover the daytime runs can be challenging.
The fire department operates two stations. The College station, 451, is located in Gambier and the Monroe station, 452, is located on Ohio 3, north of Mount Vernon. The department is headed by Fire Chief Bill Smith and Assistant Chief Andy Weber and is uniquely staffed, not only with community volunteers but Kenyon College students as well. Twelve students are currently active in the department.
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