ROSSFORD, Ohio — Rossford City Council is still deciding what will happen next with the city's fire department.
The formation of a special committee consisting of three council members, three firefighters and three community members was proposed at Monday's council meeting. If the ordinance to form it passes, the committee would meet weekly and there could be a decision on what happens to the fire department in July.
Longtime Rossford resident Diana Wolff supports the idea of a committee to study the options available to solve the fire department's staffing shortage:
- Be standalone and hire 15 full-time firefighters
- Form a fire district with multiple neighboring communities
- Contract with a neighboring community, like Perrysburg Township
"Different point-of-views, the average Joe, the fire department, and the city council, is probably the smartest proposal anybody has come up with," Wolff said.
The committee proposal after months of conversation about the options facing the department.
Residents like Wolff have spoken out against contracting with a neighboring community.
"I think we have some talented firefighters in Rossford that given the opportunity to get the right credentials and pass the right test, would love to be on our full-time department that is truly Rossford's fire department," she said.
Council member Brenna Reynolds proposed the committee in hopes of providing more transparency and building support on a recommended plan.
"We can review the proposals out there, possibly come up with a brand new one, so that everyone comes to the table and feels heard," Reynolds said.
Rossford Mayor Neil MacKinnon would select the committee members, per council rules.
Wolff said she disagrees with this and would prefer council itself decides the members.
"I think it would take out any element of people thinking that (MacKinnon) appointed his committee," Wolff said. "I want it to be the people's committee."
The committee would set deadlines for certain things to happen in the process of solving the staffing issue.
MacKinnon said people who are interested in joining the proposed committee can express their interest to him.