Fire dept. no longer dispatched to medical calls

By Mary Smith

news@vindy.com

MINERAL RIDGE

Weathersfield Township trustees Tuesday announced that the township fire department no longer will be dispatched to answer medical emergencies, unless requested by the ambulance company.

Previously, both the fire department and the ambulance service, Lane Ambulance, have responded to medical emergencies in the township.

But the practice will change as a cost-saving move, trustee chairman James Stoddard said.

Calls to 911 are dispatched through Niles to Weathersfield, McDonald and Niles, but now, only the ambulance service will be contacted.

If, however, the fire department is needed, such as to break into a home or to remove someone from an auto accident at the determination of the ambulance company, it will be called in to respond.

Fire Capt. Thomas Lambert also has been named as the Weathersfield Township fire-safety officer and will be responsible for the supervision, direction and efficiency of fire scene safety.

Previously there had always been a fire-safety officer named to oversee a fire scene, but the person varied from fire to fire.

There is no additional pay for the post.