Twinsburg Fire Department History

The Twinsburg Fire Department was formed in May of 1919, with 25 founding members. We had $200 and were basically a bucket brigade, without a station.

By 1921, we had our first piece of apparatus, a 2-wheeled cart.

On 5/12/23, the Chamber of Commerce received a promise from 163 different organizations and community residents to pay a total of $1406.75 for the "Purpose of equipping the Fire Dept. with suitable motor apparatus and other equipment as may be necessary."

The first motorized piece of equipment was purchased in 1923, a 1924 REO.

Here is the 1924 REO Fire Truck in front of Bowen's Garage. Click on picture to enlarge.

On 12/06/1923, we entered into a lease for a patch of land, 10' x 20', located on the South side of Bowen's Garage on the Twinsburg-Hudson Rd. for a total cost of $60/yr. for 15 years, ending in 1939.

Here is Bowen's Garage. It sat on the S.E. corner of Rt. 82 and Rt. 91 intersection. It was also known as Lane's Garage later. There is a bank on that corner today. Click on picture to enlarge.

Items purchased:

• 1923: 1924 REO Chemical Truck
• 1934: 1934 Ford Pumper with 300 gallon tank.
• 1947: Buffalo Tanker with a 500 GPM pump and 1000 gallon tank.
• 1954: 1942 Autocar Tanker with a 3300 gallon tank.
• 1955: 1946 Dodge utility truck.
• 1957: 1957 FWD 750 GPM Pumper with 1000 gallon tank.
• 1958: 1958 Chevrolet emergency truck.
• 1959: 1959 FWD 500 GPM pumper.

Click on picture to enlarge.

In 1956 the membership and Ladies Auxiliary, constructed a new Fire Station which is now being used by the Sheriff's Office on Ravenna Rd. next to the old City Hall (Currently the N.E.S.C.A. Building). This building was home to TFD until 6/79 when we were moved to our current location. By the end of 1958, TFD had over $150000 in equipment. The members were paid $1.00 per year, which they turned beck into the Village. By 1959 there were 45 Firemen and 21 wives belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary.

By the late 1960's TFD was providing EMS service and transportation to Emergency Rooms with a 1969 Chrysler Ambulance. The early 1970's saw a requirement by the State of Ohio for EMS providers to be more than 1st Aid Certified. On 8/1/75 the EMT-A certification was instituted. By the mid 1980's our first group of Medics became certified. TFD began providing limited medic services in September of 1986.

As the increase in Emergency Calls continued, by 3/15/89, the City started a Monday through Friday, day shift full-time service. Since that time we have expanded to a 7 day a week 24 hour Full Time service. This is provided through a staff of 30 Full Time members and 18 Part Time members. Which brings us to today's force.

Past Chief Officers

 * Chief and Asst. Chiefs were elected for one year periods by firemen from 1919 to 01/04/1954. On that day, Twinsburg Township Trustees appointed Raymond R. Richner to a permanent position.

Twinsburg Fire Department Today

Of the 48 members, 29 of the Full Time are Medics as are 13 of the Part Time.

There are 9 Firefighters on Duty each 24 hr shift, with a Chief and Assistant Chief, Monday through Friday.

There are 3 FF in Fire Prevention, Monday through Friday. They are responsible for inspecting over 943 locations, biannually in the City and Township.

FF while on duty, when not training are performing in house maintenance on equipment and also doing daily practical skills for 1-2 hours. This will enhance our overall performance and help to improve our ISO rating.

 Services offered in addition to Fire/EMS protection

10 FF's have received special training for a Fire Safety Education program taught through all District schools. This program is presented starting with Kindergarten students through 6th grade. The City purchased a Fire Safety Education Trailer in 1997, which is also part of the program. The trailer is a scaled version of a home, with a 1st and 2nd floor. A program for Sr. Citizen community is also available.

4 FF's have received special training for a Juvenile Firesetters counseling program for any juveniles referred to us through either the schools, PD's or Juvenile Courts. Unfortunately we have had to use this program a number of times over the past several years. Thankfully we are not aware of any of those counseled as repeat offenders.

CPR is taught, free of charge, to the public and to company employees in Twinsburg at the Station monthly.

5 FF's have received specialized training in HAZMAT mitigation techniques and also belong to the Summit County HAZMAT Team.

5 FF's have received specialized training in advanced Rope Rescue and High Angle Rescue techniques. These members are also part of the county team called TROT. We have 2 FF's that have are part of the Dive Team.

All members of our staff have received extra certifications in PALS and BTLS skills.

We are currently based out of one station. We have 3 ALS Squads, 3 Pumpers, 1 Aerial Truck, 1 Grass Fire Unit and a Mobile Command Post. There are also 5 utility vehicles.

We have a quality Assurance program in effect, where on a monthly basis, a random sampling of calls are selected and a questionnaire is sent out. We ask for a group of ten areas to rate us on and to add any additional comments. Overall we get top marks from respondents, through when we get the occasional poor marks a follow up is made to that resident to see what transpired and then make changes as indicated to maintain a highly professional service to the community we serve.

During Fire Prevention Week in October, we hold an open house. However if anyone is interested in a tour, just give us a call so we can ensure that someone is there to walk you through.

The Future

As our community has grown, so has the demands on our service. The community is at a crossroads in this Departments ability to provide a quick response to all within our community. Research is currently in progress to decide on the need and possibility of a  second station to accomplish this. 

Counsel has given a preliminary OK to proceed with design of a satalite station to be built in the Southern area of the fire district with includes most of the industrial base. Since this is just starting please check back for more updated material.

Whether the Township is annexed/merged or not will still impact the TFD as we are the only Department that has continued to service the Township over the years and it appears that building will continue in that area regardless of who has control over it. Merging or annexation of the two communities will not effect the TFD as our needs are more dependent on the populated and built up areas of our district which is currently a little over 21.5 square miles.