TRUMBULL COUNTY New Hubbard chief gets to work after life-threatening injuries

The new chief is prepared to work toward his goals.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Less than two months before John Clemente Jr. became chief of the Hubbard Volunteer Fire Department, a Catholic priest administered the last rites to him.
"It was a miracle. A lot of prayers went into it," the 51-year-old said of his recovery from a June 11 accident.
Clemente and his two sons were doing roof repairs at their home when Clemente fell off the ladder to the ground.
Unknown to him at the time, the fall ruptured his aorta and pancreas. He got up and went back on the roof.
The father of three was taken to the emergency room at St. Elizabeth Health Center's Boardman Campus after later falling unconscious. While there, he went into full cardiac arrest. The priest was summoned.
Two days later, Clemente underwent surgery at St. Elizabeth's. Living on gelatin desserts and ice pops for six or seven weeks, he lost 20 pounds.
His doctor released him to perform normal functions Aug. 3, two days after he became chief.
During his recovery, his fellow volunteer firefighters repaired his roof.
"That's how we are around here. A good bunch of guys. I didn't even ask," said the former city water department foreman who retired in 2003.
Because of the accident, this is the first year of 34 that Clemente has missed coaching in the Hubbard Community Youth League.
Goals as chief
Now, Clemente is ready to work toward his goals as chief.
The 27-man department hasn't had a contract with the city and Hubbard Township since Jan. 1. The issues in dispute are the creation of the position of chief/part-time administrator and increasing the cost of a call-out from $10 to $12.
The current $10 is paid whether a firefighter works one hour or 10 hours, the chief explained.
Clemente, who is paid $2,400 annually as chief, said that increased paperwork warrants the new position. That person also could perform arson investigations and inspections.
Although the city administration and township trustees have taken the issue off the bargaining table, he hasn't.
Clemente said another goal is to create a first-responder emergency medical technician unit. In case of an emergency, such as a heart attack or traffic accident, the EMTs would stabilize a patient until an ambulance arrives.
Another goal is to create a junior firefighters association for those ages 17 to 20 who are interested in training to become a firefighter. They can't become a member of the department until 21.
Wants ladder truck
A long-term goal is to buy a ladder truck. The department has four 1,000-gallon tanker trucks.
How will the purchase be financed? "That's one of the things I have to work on," the chief said.
Clemente said volunteer firefighters are on a par with their full-time counterparts. They are trained in arson investigations, hazardous materials handling and inspections.
Response time is comparable, he explained, because some volunteers live or work within walking distance of the fire station. Trucks are moving within a minute or two of the alarm's sounding while others make their way to the scene.
During the day, six to eight firefighters respond to an alarm, while 15 to 20 do so at night, Clemente added.
yovich@vindy.com