Fire and Rescue Department

James Sedlar - Fire Chief  419.531.4849

The Village of Ottawa Hills has a full-time fire department consisting of 10 full-time firefighters including the fire chief and nine part-time firefighters.  All firefighters have been trained in the professional firefighters level, and are certified EMTs.  The fire department has seven paramedics working in the department.  Hiring requirements now include being a paramedic and firefighting training.  The fire department provides Advance Life Support service on EMS calls.

The department was formed in 1938 with one full-time chief and six full-time firefighters.  The firefighters worked 24 hours on and 24 hours off. The department has grown since 1938 to the staffing level we have today.

Our Mission

The mission of the Ottawa Hills Fire and Rescue Department is to prevent and suppress fires, and save lives through progressive management and training techniques by dedicated personnel who are willing to put their lives at risk to protect lives and property of others.  This shall be conducted to and for those requesting or requiring our services in a professional manner to provide a safe environment in which to live, work, learn, grow, and visit.

If the Fire and Rescue Department can assist you in any way, please give us a call - 419.531.4849.

Our Goals

1. To maximize our fire prevention efforts

2. To maximize our fire suppression techniques

3. To maximize our life saving techniques

4. To maximize the organizational competence necessary to guide and lead the department through its mission, goals and objectives

5. To maximize the departmental goals through the attainment of the stated objectives

The Ottawa Hills Fire & Rescue Department will conduct Fire Hydrant Testing May 8 - second week in June.  The hydrants will be flowed to clear out any rust. If you experience cloudy water, please run the faucet until the water becomes clear. Each day during this process, the Main Office will have a list of streets that we are testing that day. You may call 419-536-1111 to find out which area on that day. 

If you do laundry during this time and your clothes are stained, the Fire Dept. has a product available - for free - to use in the wash to remove the stains. We test the hydrants every year to make sure they work and repair notices are given to the County Engineer's office.

If our fire hydrants don't work, we cannot use them in an emergency.

Fire Department Services

• 71 in-service calls

• 100 fire-related incidents

• 309 EMS calls

In December 2006, Ottawa Hills added a transport vehicle to the fleet, and will transport EMS patients from the Village to St. Anne's and Toledo Hospitals.

Effects of CO Exposure to People

Carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen that is in your bloodstream, which can lead to suffocation.  Flu-like symptoms are early indication of mild CO poisoning. More serious exposure can lead to difficulty breathing and eventually death.  Those most at risk for poisoning are children four years or younger, and people 75 or older.

If your CO detector sounds its alarm:

1. Make sure everyone in the house is OK.  See if anyone has any symptoms of illness.
   
   If someone is sick, CALL 911 and LEAVE THE HOUSE!  Or take your cell phone outside with you and then call 911.

2. If everyone is OK, check the reading on the CO detector.  There is a 3-digit number that tells the CO level.

3. If the number is NOT zero, leave the house and call 911.  Wait for the fire department to arrive and let them investigate the CO source.

4. Please do not open windows and doors prior to the arrival of the Fire Department.  This will assist us in finding possible sources for the alarm.

Annually 1,500 people are killed and 10,000 people seek medical attention as a result of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning (CO).

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that comes from burning fossils fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, oil, and methane.  When these fuels burn incompletely, CO is produced.  Home heating and cooking appliances can produce CO if they are damaged or misused.  Vehicles such as cars, trucks, tractors, and lawn mowers are also sources of CO.  Any motor allowed to run indoors could produce dangerous levels of CO.

If your home is equipped with gas appliances, install a CO detector in the same room as the appliance and another by the sleeping areas of your home.

The Ottawa Hills Fire and Rescue Department has CO detectors to loan out to any resident who has a concern about the potential for carbon monoxide's leaking into their home. 

Please call 419.531.4849 if you would like to use a CO alarm.

Smoke Detectors

• We recommend that you install a smoke detector on every level of your home.

• We have smoke detectors to give if you need them.  Please call 419.531.4849 to make arrangements for us to drop them off at your residence.

• We can come to your residence and help you install smoke detectors and give you suggestions on where to install them.

• We recommend that you test your smoke detectors at least once a month by pushing the test button.  Replace the batteries twice a year.

• All smoke detectors more than 10 years old should be replaced. Smoke detectors have a life span of less than 10 years.

• We will replace your smoke detector batteries free of charge for those who need it.