American Rescue Plan funds directed to fire

American Rescue Plan Fund dollars directed to fire department

by Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Sept. 12 trustees meeting
Sagamore Hills trustees approved putting the township’s one-year $571,731 allowance of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act toward the fire department budget. Trustee Paul Schweikert said the township used an equal amount last year of the two-year grant for fire department-related expenses.

Federal funds were provided to state and local governments as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, which was created to combat the negative impacts of COVID-19.

With the addition of the ARPA fund dollars, “the fire department is doing pretty good right now,” Schweikert said.

In August, Macedonia Fire Station No. 1 had 187 EMS calls and 22 fire calls. Sagamore Hills Station No. 2 had 88 EMS calls and 14 fire calls, and Northfield Center Station No. 3 had 48 EMS calls and seven fire calls.

“We received mutual aid 11 times and provided it 16 times,” Trustee David DePasquale said.

The Sagamore Hills Police Department handled 555 calls for service in the same time period, conducted 778 community policing assignments and handed out 363 “patrolled your area” cards, according to DePasquale. The investigative unit received 24 investigations and closed all of them. The therapy dog, Annie, made three community contacts. With school back in session, she’ll be making the rounds to see the children.

The police department has taken possession of its new unmarked cruiser. ∞