Fire drill planned for city leaders

Lorain Professional Firefighters Local 267 hopes event will make the case for more crew members

Lorain firefighters hope a fire drill will convince city leaders to add to staff on duty every day in the city.

The Lorain Professional Firefighters Local 267 is planning a demonstration with Lorain’s elected officials to make its case for a 16-person crew.

The Lorain Fire Department currently has 15 firefighters on daily duty, said union President Jon Stephanchick.

Adding just one more to the minimum daily roster would increase the margin of safety for firefighters and residents by having a dedicated search and rescue crew respond to all house fires, Stephanchick said.

The demonstration is planned Aug. 10 with a presentation at Lorain’s Central Fire Station, 1350 Broadway, then move to a nearby house.

The exercise will not involve burning down the structure, although a smoke machine will create simulated fire conditions.

Firefighters will show how they react to a house fire with a crew of 14, then a crew of 16, Stephanchick said.

Currently, the daily shift of 15 is spread over Lorain’s four fire stations.

The other firehouses are Station 3 at 3042 Grove Ave. in South Lorain, Station 4 at 401 Idaho Ave. on Lorain’s east side and Station 7, 2111 West Park Drive on the west side.

When firefighters arrive at a burning building, there are actions that must happen simultaneously, he said.

Having the extra firefighter

would allow the responders to begin extinguishing the flames and mount a search inside.

The fire union has invited Lorain Mayor Joe Koziura, mayoral candidates Jack Bradley and Jessie Tower, City Council members and candidates.

The demonstration is not open to the public, although Lorain firefighters are willing to speak to residents and local community groups about their operations, Stephanchick said.

During the exercise, if an actual fire call comes in, the firefighters will have enough staff to ensure the public is covered adequately, he added.

Earlier this year, the firefighters’ union published “Safety Concern,” an online post that described how the total roster of 66 firefighters should be increased to avoid future problems.

THE MORNING JOURNAL FILE Lorain firefighters attempt to put out the fire at Iglesia Del Dios Vivo church, 1714 Reid Ave., on Nov. 10, 2018. Lorain’s fire union plans a demonstration for city leaders to explain why having fewer than 16 firefighters creates safety problems for firefighters and city residents.