Council approves new firefighters

In a long-awaited staffing increase, Avon Lake City Council approved legislation Dec. 18 to hire two new firefighters in 2018.

Coming on the heels of a Dec. 4 presentation by Avon Lake fire Chief Chris Huerner to the Avon Lake Collective Committee Meeting, Council approved the staffing increases which will bring the Avon Lake Fire Department up to three platoons. Each consisting of nine firefighters — in the hopes that it will improve the department’s capacity to respond to the needs of an growing population and rapidly increasing call volume.

The population of Avon Lake has increased over the last 20 years by nearly 50 percent and the Fire Department has handled an increased call volume of 89 percent over the same time period. Meanwhile, only one additional firefighter has been hired, falling below recommended staffing levels, Huerner noted in his presentation.

“I want to thank all members of Council that studied this issue and made a good decision,” said Safety Committee Chairman David Kos. “It’s in the best interests of our community, it’s in the best interests of our residents and I want to thank the Fire Department for being so patient as well too with this.

“I know this is not an easy process and I know that the Fire Department is the ones who feel the crunch of the short-handedness that sometimes occurred. This is long awaited and I am very happy to be sponsoring this tonight.”

In 2008 and 2011, the city commissioned two studies which both issued findings in support of hiring additional firefighters to keep pace with the city’s demographic needs.

Ward III Councilman Larry Meiners praised Council’s decision as a collaborative citywide effort from the Fire Department down through the city administration in taking action to improve Avon Lake’s safety services.

“This is a long-awaited item and it will greatly enhance the stability of the Fire Department,” Meiners said.

Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka said on Dec. 4, the city is aiming to identify prospective candidates in spring 2018 and projects the new firefighters will be on the force July, 1.

According to departmental projections, the two new firefighters will cost the city about $200,000.