Bath searching for part-time firefighters

by Sheldon Ocker

Feb. 10 board of trustees meeting

During his review of 2024, Bath Fire Chief Rob Campbell took time to list his 16 full-time personnel and 21 part-time firefighters/paramedics.

“This list [of part-timers] is significantly smaller than it has been in past years,” he said. “Part-time staff has been a challenge not only for us, but for many departments in the area for the last several years.

“I do see some signs of hope that we might be starting to rebound a little bit.”

Campbell was referring to a number of current candidates in the Bath pipeline.

The township is seeking candidates who are already certified as firefighter/paramedics or are certified at the fire basic EMT level but are in paramedic school.

In reviewing the previous year, Campbell said the fire department rang up an all-time high in calls (1,780) for the fourth consecutive year. “We had a little more than 100 more than in 2023,” he said.

Trustees approved Campbell’s request for $2,250 to purchase Emergent incident command and inspection software, $3,800 to buy Sundance interface to Emergent Fire application and a resolution to apply for an Ohio EMS Priority One Training and Equipment Reimbursement Grant worth between $2,500-$3,500.

“It helps offset the purchases of our recurring supplies,” Campbell said.

Planning/zoning

Planning Director/Zoning Inspector Bill Funk said that his department issued 146 permits in 2024 compared to 151 in 2023. Last year, 10 zoning permits were issued for swimming pools and only eight for new homes, the same number as 2023.

Over a 10-year period, Funk said the township issued 1,494 zoning permits, including 131 for houses.

Funk noted, “Our big project in 2024 was to update the comprehensive land use plan [that began in 2023].”

The plan is expected to be complete in about two months.

New labor agreement

Township Administrator/Police Chief Vito Sinopoli received approval from trustees for a new labor agreement between parks and road workers, represented by the Teamsters Union, and the township.

Included in the agreement were wage increases of 3% for 2026 and 2027. The agreement covers 13 employees.

Bath Community Fund

Rev. Mark Frey of the Bath Community Fund updated trustees on the organization’s charitable work for 2024, plus an ongoing fundraising project.

Frey said BCF distributed $50,000 to 22 recipients last year, but for that level of giving to continue, the organization needs more than its current $1.4 million endowment.

Consequently, BCF embarked on a $400,000 fundraising effort that is due to end in August. Frey said $371,000 in cash and pledges has already been raised, with 73% of that cash in hand

Frey said in addition to seeking money, BCF is trying to find 100 new donors. So far, 28 have signed on.

To assist in finding donors, BCF is hosting an “Emerging Donors” informational event at Ken Stewart’s Lodge on April 29. The event is not open to the public. Instead, the Fund will invite several Bath residents in the 30-50-year-old age range. Any Bath resident interested in attending can RSVP online at akroncf.org/BCFgathering.In addition, a BCF gala is planned for Aug. 1. It is open to the public but ticket prices have yet to be determined.