General Information
The Jefferson Township Fire Department was established as a volunteer department in 1967. Since that time it has transitioned from volunteers to a combination of full time and part time firefighters and paramedics. Jefferson Fire provides the community with professional emergency medical services, and fire prevention and suppression services. Your Fire Department currently staffs one station 24 hours per day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. On a typical 24-hour shift, up to nine firefighter/paramedics and a Battalion Chief serve on duty. The Fire Chief and the 40-hour Battalion Chief in charge of Prevention are available during business hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fire staff responds to calls for assistance in two medics, one compressed-air-foam pumper engine, one custom ladder, station car, chief's car and two special trailers, one for mass casualty events and the other for carrying a large amount of foam for fighting special types of fires. Responding fire equipment is stocked with advanced life support equipment. Not only are we here to provide fire protection; our goal is to be prepared during any medical or other traumatic emergency. Additional assistance is available and provided through mutual aid agreements with all surrounding fire departments. The Jefferson Township Fire Department responded to nearly 1,700 fire and emergency medical calls in 2010; and the number of responses has increased about 10% per year. Our service area is approximately 14 square miles, and includes parts of Reynoldsburg, Gahanna and Columbus with a combined population of around 11,000 residents. Jefferson Township is classified by the Insurance Services Office with a Class 4 ISO rating. Your staff is highly trained, with the department logging more than 10,000 hours of training a year. Jefferson Township is classified by the Insurance Services Office with a Class 4 ISO rating. Your staff is highly trained, with the department logging more than 10,000 hours of training a year. Emergency Medical Services Jefferson Township Fire Department’s paramedics and emergency medical technicians provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to township residents, workers and visitors. With population more than doubling in the past decade, the fire department has continuously added EMS personnel, equipment and supplies during that time to keep up with demands for service, yet do so in a cost-effective manner. There are different levels of training for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) ranging from EMT-Basic to EMT-Paramedic, the highest skill certification available. Most responders are certified paramedics. All employees are required to maintain a certain amount of training to keep their certifications. A detailed medical protocol set forth by the medical director details procedures, policy and techniques that each EMT must follow at his or her level of certification. Jefferson Township Fire Department is a member of the Metropolitan Emergency Communication Consortium which includes the townships of Jefferson, Mifflin, Plain, Truro, and Violet, and the City of Whitehall. Dr. Paul Zeeb is the Medical Director of the Consortium and is a board certified physician with more than 30 years of experience in emergency medical services. The procedures and equipment required to perform patient care has become extensive over the years. Each year the State of Ohio Division of EMS hands down the newest procedures that EMTs can perform at each level of certification. The changes have substantially increased the costs of training, equipment, and supplies. Jefferson regularly applies for state grants to offset some of the expenses. Jefferson Township is able to provide advanced life support equipment and paramedics whether responding by engine, ladder, or medic vehicle. Dispatching The Metropolitan Emergency Communications Consortium (MECC) consists of six Central Ohio fire departments: the townships of Jefferson, Mifflin, Plain, Truro, and Violet, and the City of Whitehall. MECC dispatches approximately 30,000 runs annually from its center in the Creekside Development in Gahanna. Additional Services The Jefferson Township Fire Department provides inspection, public education, and life safety programs designed for preschoolers through senior citizens. Staff is available to consult with or assist residents with installation of smoke detectors, emergency evacuation plans, and assist local businesses with building plan life safety reviews. Contact Information Jefferson Township Fire Department 6767 Havens Corners Road Blacklick, Ohio 43004 Emergency Phone: 911 Non-Emergency Phone: 614-861-3757 (all staff and offices) Fire Chief Crystal Dickerson Email cdickerson@jeffersontownship.org 1 Unit Battalion Chief William McCullough Email: wmccullough@jeffersontownship.org 2 Unit Battalion Chief Christopher Heaton Email: cheaton@jeffersontownship.org 3 Unit Battalion Chief Bradford Shull Email: bshull@jeffersontownship.org Fire Department Administrative Assistant Becky Swingle Email: rswingle@jeffersontownship.org