The city of Uhrichsville has begun the process of exploring its future needs for fire protection — including the possibility of forming a fire district with neighboring political entities.
Elected leaders and area firefighters met last week to discuss what should be done in light of a study conducted by Emergency Services Consulting International of Wilsonville, Ore., that identified the needs of the Uhrichsville Fire Department.
Those needs include replacing the city’s fire station, built in 1968, which is beyond its capacity and its intended usage, and increasing staffing. The study found that the department’s staffing “does not meet the need for a routine house fire” and would not be sufficient for a strip shopping mall or apartment fire unless those structures had sprinkler systems.
“The study was very comprehensive, and it really opened our eyes,” said Mayor Rick Dorland. “No matter what happens from this point on, this study definitely gives us a road map for proceeding into the near future.”