Crumbling roads delaying response times, fire official tells Mahoning commissioners

May 7, 2015 at 9:55p.m.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The president of the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department complained to the Mahoning County commissioners that deteriorated local roads are slowing down his department’s response times.

Thomas Rhodes, of Goshen Township, said emergency vehicles are sometimes limited to 5 to 10 mph due to poor road conditions.

“I hate going to somebody and the house is burning down and saying: ‘Sorry, I couldn’t get there,’’’ in a timely manner, he told the commissioners Thursday.

Rapid fire department response is necessary to keep insurance costs reasonable, he added.

Read the commissioners' response in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.