Fire Chief:  Clarence C. Bittner

For Emergency:  Dial  911

Non Emergency: If you would like to contact Fire Chief Bittner call (330) 733-6125 ext. #5 or email him at: firechief@lakemoreohio.org

Lakemore  Fire  Department  Mission  Statement

       Our mission is to improve the quality of life within the community by providing a high quality emergency medical service, by providing an excellent fire prevention program including public education and the investigation of all unfriendly fires, by providing a fire fighting force capable of handling emergencies which may include structural fire fighting, hazardous materials mitigation, all types of rescues and miscellaneous emergencies.  We will accomplish this mission while maintaining a high regard for the safety and health of our personnel.  We will maintain a high standard of training in order to carry out our mission.

2002 Lakemore E.M.S. Report

1. Number of EMS alarms totaled 630.
2. Number of transport to hospitals equals 542.
3. Number of non-transports equals 88.
4. Average response time per medical alarm is 5 minutes.
5. Total number of EMS training sessions totaled 12.

2002  Lakemore Fire Report

1. Total number of fire/service alarms in 2002 were 84.
2. Average response time for each fire alarm was 5 minutes.
3. Total number of fire trainings for 2002 were 16.

Public Education and Accomplishments of the Lakemore Fire Department for 2002

1. Conducted tornado drills at the Lakemore Elementary School, Springfield High School and Lakemore United Methodist Church Pre-School.
2. Lakemore Village Business Fire Inspections totaled 60.
3. Lakemore Village Residential Fire Inspections totaled 10.
4. Tested all fire pumps per N.F.P.A. guidelines.
5. Tested and Inspected all self-contained breathing apparatus per N.F.P.A. guidelines.
6. Inspected and tested all Village of Lakemore fire extinguishers.
7. Sustained ZERO Fire Fighter/EMT injuries for the year.
8. Sustained ZERO damage to all Fire Fighter/EMT equipment.
9. Hired five (5) new probationary people to the roster and trained them using Grant monies received from the Ohio Department of Public Safety/EMS division at a cost of approximately $12,000.
10. Conducted public education classes for fire safety at the fire station using fire prevention/educational literature and the Fire Safety House.
11. Held 52 two (2) hour blood screening sessions for our residents and non-residents.  This happens every Tuesday 10am till noon.
    

Meet some of the Lakemore Fire Personnel

    The Village of Lakemore was incorporated in the year 1921. Also, The Lakemore Fire Department was established in 1921, although there was a fire department prior to 1921, there are no records of or anyone knowing what the fire department was called. There are stories that indicate that when the Village became incorporated, that the fire department that was already established was sold to the Village of Lakemore for $1.00. The first piece of fire equipment was a hand drawn soda/acid tank on a hand pulled cart that was pulled by hand to the fire buy the volunteer firemen. (A very difficult task in those days due to the dirt roads) This cart was stored in a fireman’s garage at Sanitarium road and Josephine Street. When a fire occurred, the person or persons had to run to the garage where a large bell was hanging and they would ring this bell until enough firemen arrived to take the fire cart to the fire. The first motorized fire engine was a 1921 Model T Ford. This fire engine was housed in a building that was located on the land that we know now as "The Triangle". This fire engine was in the parade at the dedication ceremonies for the North Hill Viaduct opening. In 1930 Herman (Herm) Robinson became the fire chief. (There are no records or knowledge of who may or may not have been the Fire Chief prior to Herm Robinson) In 1935 another fire engine was purchased. This engine was called a Howe Pacemaker. The fire department soon out grew the building on the Triangle and in 1935 moved into the building across the street from the Triangle. Located on the corner of Park Drive and Lake Street, this building was for thirty-five years known as the Lakemore Fire Station. In 1947 another fire engine was purchased, a brand new International 500-gallon per minute pumper. The cost of this fire engine was $8,000.00. In 1956 another new fire engine was purchased, a brand new 1956 International 500 gallon per minute pumper. The cost of this fire engine was $16,000.00.  In 1959 after serving 29 years as the Fire Chief, Herm Robinson retired and Edgar Bittner became the Fire Chief. In 1969 another fire engine was purchased, a brand new Diamond Reo 750 gallon per minute pumper. The cost of this fire engine was $36,000.00. This engine replaced the 1947 International fire engine. In 1970, the existing Municipal building was constructed which housed the Fire Department, Police Department and the Administrative Offices of the Village of Lakemore. In 1973 after serving 14 years as Fire Chief, Edgar Bittner retired and James S. Brown Jr. became the Fire Chief. In 1974 the Lakemore Fire Department trained all of its personnel to become Emergency Medical Technicians. We were one of the first Fire Departments in the State of Ohio to become "EMT’S. In 1974 we purchased our first Ambulance, a 1974 Chevrolet van and a new era began. In 1974 the Lakemore Fire Department became a fire based emergency medical service to care for and transport patients to area hospitals. (A service we still provide today) After starting our own ambulance service, our alarms increased dramatically. We ran approximately 30 to 40 alarms per year prior to EMS, and within a few short years our alarm volume quadrupled.

    In 1981 to be able to handle our increasing alarm volume, the Village purchased a second ambulance, a brand new Type 2 Ford ambulance was purchased at a cost of $35,000.00. In 1984 we purchased a brand new Ford Class A Fire Engine at a cost of $100,000.00. This engine replaced the 1956 International Fire Engine. In 1984 James S. Brown Jr. retired as Fire Chief after serving 11 years and Clarence C. Bittner was appointed Fire Chief. In 1989 a brand new Ford Type 1 Ambulance was purchased at a cost of $75,000.00. This Ambulance replaced the 1974 Ambulance. In 1995, Lakemore purchased a brand new Pierce Fire Engine at a cost of $207,000.00. This Fire Engine replaced the 1969 Diamond Reo Fire Engine. In 1999, Lakemore purchased a new Type 3 Ambulance at a cost of $90,000.00 and at the present time, the Lakemore Fire Department has the following Apparatus and Equipment.

1. Two Class A Fire Engines

   1. 1995 Pierce Saber 1,500 G.P.M. Pumper
   2. 1984 Ford 1,000 G.P.M. Pumper

2. Two Basic Life Support Ambulances

   1. 1998 Ford McCoy Miller Ambulance
   2. 1989 Ford McCoy Miller Ambulance

3. One 1981 Ford Utility Vehicle
4. One 1998 Crown Victoria Fire Chiefs/Command Vehicle
5. One Rescue Raft, Trailer and equipment
6. One Utility trailer containing a portable pump, portable generator and other misc. equipment.

The present day staffing is as follows:

1. One Fire Chief
2. Two Fire Captains
3. One Fire Lieutenant
4. Twenty Two Fire Personnel consisting of:
   1. Eighteen personnel having Firefighter/EMT’s certification.
   2. One having EMT’s certification only.
   3. One having Firefighter certification only.
   4. Two probationary personnel (In process of training to Firefighter/EMT certification level.)