Bath Township Fire Department to Host Bath Elementary School 5^th Grade D.A.R.E. Day

On Friday, May 19, 2023, from 8:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. the Bath Township Fire Department will be hosting a celebration for Bath Elementary School 5^th graders who have successfully completed D.A.R.E. training through the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.

The students will visit the fire station to participate in fun and educational activities including equipment demonstrations, a tour of the facility, a “firefighter obstacle course” and some “Hands Only CPR” training.

Representatives from the Allen County Department of Homeland Security & EMA will also be in attendance.

Contact information: Joseph L. Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550
ACSO Deputy Ted Falke: 419-227-3535 

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Bath Township Fire Department to Launch Leave Behind Naloxone Program 

The Bath Township Fire Department is pleased to partner with HEALing Communities to help reduce opioid-related deaths in our community by participating in their naloxone leave behind program. Bath Township EMS personnel will now have the ability to provide naloxone kits to people in need through a partnership with Allen County Public Health and Project Dawn.  

The HEALing Communities Study’s goal is to significantly reduce opioid-related overdose deaths and increase distribution of naloxone, access and utilization of medication for opioid use disorder, and increase safer prescribing of opioids. Allen County is part of the HEALing Communities Study, along with 17 other counties in Ohio, and communities in Kentucky, New York, and Massachusetts. The HEALing Communities Study is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as part of the NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative. Funding for each county taking part in Ohio will be used to engage community members in developing a data-driven approach to implement evidence-based practices. In addition, health communications campaigns aiming to increase naloxone awareness and reduce stigma associated with medications for opioid use disorder will be conducted. 

Bath Township Platoon Chief Crystal Plumpe stated, “We feel that this program will give access to life saving naloxone to families in Bath Township who have loved ones who may be struggling with opioid addiction.” 

 Contact information: Crystal Plumpe, 419-221-0550 

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Bath Township Fire Department personnel will be conducting spring fire hydrant maintenance and flushing on all township hydrants beginning Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Testing will last about three weeks. 

Residents may notice discoloration of water when the flushing takes place in their neighborhood. If you experience a discoloration of water, turn on your plumbing fixtures until the water runs clear. It is best to run an outdoor fixture, or a cold-water tap in a laundry tub or bathtub first until the water runs clear and then run water from other fixtures. 

This year’s firefighter of the year is Platoon Chief Jared Jenkins. Jared began his career with Bath Township in October of 2006. His fellow firefighters nominated him due to his commitment to training, education, and professional development. Additionally, they noted that he is very dedicated to the safety of his crew. Jared’s coworkers also noted the high standards he sets for himself and his dedication to our department. The keynote speaker will be Beth Seibert, Allen County Commissioner.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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The Bath Township Fire Department will hold its annual awards dinner and ceremony tonight, December 9, 2022, at 6:45 P.M. at Union Chapel Missionary Church (St. Rt. 81/ Thayer Rd).

Commendation awards will be presented to Bath Township personnel, such as Firefighter of the Year, EMS Provider of the Year, etc.

This year’s firefighter of the year is Platoon Chief Jared Jenkins. Jared began his career with Bath Township in October of 2006. His fellow firefighters nominated him due to his commitment to training, education, and professional development. Additionally, they noted that he is very dedicated to the safety of his crew. Jared’s coworkers also noted the high standards he sets for himself and his dedication to our department. The keynote speaker will be Beth Seibert, Allen County Commissioner.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a residential structure fire at 2604 Lost
Creek Blvd., Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 2:25 P.M. on November 10, 2022.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke coming from a shed which was attached to the
rear of a garage. It took firefighters about 15 minutes to contain the fire.

The owner, James Schmenk, who was home at the time, was able to escape. No occupants were
injured.

The house suffered moderate damage to the attached garage and attic.

The homeowner reported that the property is insured. Fire department officials estimate the
damage at $1,000.00 to the contents and $10,000.00 to the structure.

Firefighters were on the scene for about one hour. The fire is not suspicious and remains under
investigation for an exact cause. Investigators believe the fire started outside due to maintenance
being conducted by the owner prior to the fire.

No fire department personnel were injured.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a residential structure fire at 510 S.
Cool Road, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 12:56 A.M. on November 10, 2022.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and fire coming from the two-car attached
garage area. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to contain the fire.

The owner, was who was home at the time, was alerted by a passerby of the fire and was able to
escape. No occupants were injured.

The house suffered heavy damage to the attached garage.

The homeowner reported that the property is insured. Fire department officials estimate the
damage at $5,000.00 to the contents and $75,000.00 to the structure.

Firefighters were on the scene for about three hours. The fire is not suspicious and remains under
investigation for an exact cause. Investigators believe the fire started in a shed behind the house
which spread to the garage.

No fire department personnel were injured. Lima Fire Department was called to the scene for
mutual aid, along with Perry Township, Lafayette Jackson Township, and Westminster which
provided tanker assistance for water supply.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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On Thursday, July 21, 2022, Bath Township Fire Chief Joseph Kitchen was sworn is as President-Elect of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association.

The Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association is a statewide organization supporting the interests of Ohio’s fire chief officers. Through a variety of programs and services, the Association provides education and professional development, legislative advocacy, communication and information exchange, and peer networking opportunities for Ohio’s fire service leaders.

Kitchen begins a two-year term immediately, and will automatically assume the position of President in 2024. He has been a member of the organization since 2002 and has served in multiple and various roles with the Association.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at the Shoreline Apartments
2250-2280 E. Elm St., on Thursday, June 22, 2022 at 2:48 P.M. The apartments are owned by
Brad and Wanda Augsburger of Lima.

Upon arrival, units observed very heavy smoke and flames coming from unit 2272 with several
other units already heavily involved.

It took firefighters over two hours to bring the fire under control with assistance from the
following departments: American Township, City of Lima, Perry Township, Cairo-Monroe
Township, and Lafayette-Jackson Township. (Additional firefighters were called in due to the
mid-90 degree temperatures.)

A preliminary damage estimate of $450,000 has been set by the fire department. In all, six units
suffered fire damage and one suffered water damage only.

No occupants or firefighters were injured. Multiple residents are being assisted by the American
Red Cross.

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and remains under investigation.

Units remained on scene for about four hours.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at the Ford Motor Company,
Lima Engine Plant on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 9:33 P.M. The plant is located at 1155 Bible
Road, Lima, Ohio.

Upon arrival, units observed smoke coming from the building through doors on the Sugar Street
side of the plant. The building’s fire protection system activated and the majority of the fire was
extinguished by the sprinkler system.

The Ford Motor Company’s Emergency Response Team had evacuated the plant due to the fire.
Bath firefighters along with Ford employees were able to get the fire under totally control within
about 30 minutes. The Lima Fire Dept. and American Twp. Fire Dept. were called to assist.

A damage estimate was not available at the time of this release pending an investigation by Ford
officials.

No Ford employees or firefighters were injured.

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and remains under investigation.

Units remained on scene for about two and half hours.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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