4 people taken to hospital, some unconscious after hazmat, rescue operation at Dayton business

Four people were taken to the hospital, including two people who were unconscious after cleaning a pit at a Dayton business Wednesday. Around 3:30 p.m., Dayton fire and hazmat crews were called to a business in the 1100 block of West Stewart Streets for four people who were in a 12-foot pit unconscious, according to District Chief Adam Landis. Fire crews entered the confined space and were able to remove the four people from the pit and take them to the hospital— two of the people were unconscious and two were conscious, Landis said. Their current conditions are not known. Landis believes that the pressure washer the workers were using to clean the pit could have been responsible for them losing consciousness, but crews are still investigating. He reminded the public to make sure when they are using anything that has exhaust or uses gas to make sure it is well-ventilated.
WHIO-TV CBS 7 Dayton

Toledo Strong honoring local firefighters

Today, Jan. 26, marks nine years since two Toledo firefighters were killed. Stephen A. Machcinski, 42, and James Dickman, 31, died of injuries sustained while fighting a fire at Magnolia Street in north Toledo. Private Machcinski had more than 15 years of service. Private Dickman was appointed to the department in September of that year. The founder of Toledo Strong is continuing tradition this year by feeding all the Toledo Fire & Rescue employees on the day the hero’s were killed. Since 2015, Toledo Strong has been donating breakfast and dinner to fire crews. Today, they will deliver around 60 dozen donuts from Bakery Unlimited and Holey Toledough. It doesn't just stop at donuts, lunch from Focaccia's as well as dinner from Angelo's Northwood Villa, Lulu Fare LLC, Jo-Jo's Pizza, The Blarney, Hot Sizzling Wok, Magic Wok and Sidelines Sports Eatery and Pub will be donated to fire stations across Toledo.
WTOL-TV CBS 11 Toledo

Police, fire department respond to ’suspicious letter’ sent to business in Newtown

Authorities were called to a Newtown business after it received a suspicious letter. Newtown Police Chief Tom Synan said that an employee at a package and mail business on Main Street opened a letter that had a distinct odor. The same employee reported their eyes and face were burning after handling the letter. That employee was treated by medical personnel and checked out O.K. Newtown Police and Anderson Township Fire were called and said that the incident is contained to the business and the suspicious letter has been isolated. The U.S. Postal Inspector was also called to help with the investigation, but police say there is no danger to the public.
WKRC-TV CBS/CW 12 Cincinnati

Parma Fire Department uses $771,000 state grant to hire eight new firefighters

Late last year the Parma Fire Department was notified it was the recipient of a $771,396 award from the Ohio First Responder Recruitment, Retention and Resilience Program. Parma Fire Chief Michael Lasky said the timing of the grant was perfect considering his department was in the process of hiring new firefighters with a test scheduled for Oct. 13. “We normally give a test every year,” Lasky said. “Then we got word we were awarded the grant, which kicked our hiring process in gear. It was all coming together. “One of the biggest things was most grants we receive there’s a match. This one had no match. And you get the money starting Jan. 1 so, of course, we wanted to hire these guys as soon as possible. We got them going. They were hired on Jan. 3.” Earlier this month the city swore in eight new cadets as probationary firefighters.
Cleveland.com

Middleport firefighter dies of complications from fire engine crash

A member of a local fire department has passed away. The Middleport Fire Department announced the death of Kevin Dailey on Facebook on Tuesday. Dailey died from long-term complications from an accident during which a fire engine rolled over in Cheshire Township in September of 2022. The Middleport Fire Department said that Engine 13 rolled over on Storys Run Road, and Dailey was ejected and pinned under the front of the truck. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.
WOWK-TV CBS 13 Huntington

Suspect in Sandusky standoff set house on fire before shooting himself, police say

People living along Pierce Street in Sandusky were evacuated for a short time Tuesday afternoon, after a man shot a woman inside a house, then set the home on fire, before shooting himself, Sandusky police told the FOX 8 I-Team. Police Chief Jared Oliver said the man was taken to the hospital, where he died. Oliver said a woman called police saying a man in the house assaulted her and shot at her. She ran from the home and was not hurt. When police arrived the man was on the porch of the home. “He was armed with a semi-automatic pistol,” the chief said. “He lit the house on fire from the inside. Officers negotiated with him while other officers evacuated neighbors.”
WJW-TV FOX 8 Cleveland

Madison Township trustees OK ARPA funds for firefighters pandemic premium pay

The Madison Township trustees have decided to reward township firefighters for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The board voted at a special meeting Monday night to designate $75,443 from the township’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds for a $1 per hour premium pay for firefighters who worked during the pandemic and who are still with the department. The ARPA allocation was determined by the number of hours each firefighter worked and the appropriate payment into their retirement funds. The premium covers firefighters, the administrative assistant and the fire chief. Fire Chief Ken Justus proposed in November that trustees use ARPA money for a COVID bonus for personnel who worked for the department from March 2020 to March 2022.
Mansfield News Journal - Metered Site

Police officers help Calcutta firefighters with house fire

Firefighters in Calcutta received a little extra help Tuesday morning fighting a house fire. Crews were called to Bell School Road just after 9 a.m. Fire Chief Dave McCoy said when fire crews arrived, two police officers were already on the scene. He said Sergeant Scott Mick and Detective Greg Smith found a garden hose and were able to put out most of the fire. “When they can jump in, if they’re available, they do respond to our calls. If there’s something they can always do, and [they’re] constantly on the scene, they’ll always ask. We got a certain group of them if they’re there, ‘Chief, is there anything we can do for ya?'” McCoy said. No one was hurt in the fire.
WKBN-TV CBS 27 Youngstown