Bath Township Fire Department responded to a structure fire located at
1250 Neubrecht Road, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 9:58 P.M., on 8/2/20. This address is the location of the Roadway Inn Motel.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke and flames coming from a second story stairwell.

The stairwell and the immediate area suffered heat, smoke, and water damage. Smoke from the fire filled the second story hallways. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to fully extinguish the fire which was reported by an employee who dialed 9-1-1.

Hotel occupants had evacuated prior to arrival of the fire department.

The property is owned by Mike Patel dba OM Sheev LLC of Lima, Ohio.
No fire department personnel or hotel guests were injured.

The fire department estimates damage to the structure in the amount of $10,000. The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation.

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

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Bath Township Fire Chief Joseph Kitchen has been reelected to a three year term on the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association Board of Directors. 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, information exchange, and peer networking opportunities.

Kitchen has been a member of the Association since 2002 and serves on multiple committees and work groups.

Contact information:
Joseph L. Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

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May 28, 2020
Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at the Dana Corporation this morning at 9:45 A.M. The plant is located at 777 Bible Road, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township.

Upon arrival, units observed light smoke coming from the building through doors at the ground level.

Dana Corporation management and security staff had evacuated the entire plant due to the fire prior to the arrival of the fire department. Bath firefighters along with Dana maintenance employees and the Lima Fire Department were able to get the fire under control within about 30 minutes. The fire was located in a furnace which is used as part of their manufacturing process. The plant sprinkler system had activated as well.
A damage estimate was not available at the time of this release pending an investigation by Dana officials.

No Dana Corporation employees or fire department personnel were injured.

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and is not suspicious.

Firefighters were on the scene for about two hours.

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

Fire Department personnel from several area agencies will be conducting spring fire hydrant maintenance and flushing on area township and city fire hydrants beginning Friday, May 1, 2020. Testing will last about three to four weeks in the City of Lima, City of Delphos, American Township, Bath Township, Perry Township, and Shawnee Township. Fire hydrant maintenance will take place during regular business hours.

Operations at all fire departments have been modified in many ways due to the COVID-19 outbreak and your local firefighters will be working hard to comply with all social distancing recommendations while conducting this work.

Residents may notice some 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.

The fire departments realize that hydrant flushing may cause some minor inconvenience, however, the flushing program is necessary to maintain a good water supply for firefighting and to ensure that the hydrants are in good working order. The community’s cooperation with the annual fire hydrant flushing program is appreciated.

Contact information:
Brian Berheide, Lima Fire Dept. Deputy Fire Chief: 419-221-5151
Joseph Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550
Tom Hadding, American Township Fire Chief: 419-339-3921
Justin Roberts, Perry Township Fire Chief: 419-221-2345 Kevin Streets, Delphos Fire & Rescue Chief: 419-695-2911
Todd Truesdale, Shawnee Township Fire Chief: 419-222-2986

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Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a mobile home on fire at 2145 N. Dixie Hwy. Lot #62, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 11:48 A.M.

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire at the rear of the structure. The fire was knocked down within about 15 minutes.The mobile home is rented by Kathleen Jones and is owned by Gary Stites of London, Ohio. Ms. Jones was home at the time of the fire and escaped with no injuries.Fire Chief Joseph Kitchen estimates the damage to be $3,000 to the structure and $1,000 to the contents. The renter advised she has no insurance and the park manager advised that it is unknown if the structure is insured.

No fire department personnel were injured. Lima Fire Department and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene of the fire.The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time and remains under investigation.Firefighters were on the scene for about three hours. The tenant is being assisted by the Allen County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

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

Click to download press release .PDF – Media Release

Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a juvenile out on the ice in the middle of pond on the property of the Johnny Appleseed Park located at 1582 Slabtown Rd. at 8:49 A.M. on 1/28/20.

Deputies from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office arrived first and attempted to get the juvenile to return to the shore without success.

Upon arrival of Bath Township Fire Department personnel, a Bath firefighter donned a cold water rescue suit and was tethered to the shore with a rope retrieval system. The firefighter made his way out to the subject which was about 50 yards. The firefighter was able to talk to the juvenile and get him to agree to be assisted off of the ice without incident.

The subject was transported to Mercy St. Rita’s Medical Center by Lima Fire Department EMS.

No firefighters, EMS personnel, or law enforcement officials were injured.
Mutual aid was received from Lima Fire Department and Lafayette Jackson Twp. Fire Department.

Chief Joseph Kitchen said, “We are thankful that this very dangerous situation had a happy ending. Ice rescues are a high risk task for emergency personnel.” He further stated, “Great care should be taken before venturing out on any ice. Remember ‘no ice is safe ice’.”

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

Click to download press release .PDF –Media Release Water Rescue

The Bath Township Fire Department will hold its annual awards dinner and ceremony tonight, January 10, 2020, at 6:30 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 Crystal Plumpe. Crystal began her career with Bath Township in September of 2005. Her fellow firefighters nominated her due to her commitment to training, education, and professional development. Additionally, they noted that she is dedicated to the safety of her crew. Crystal’s coworkers also noted the high standards she sets for herself and her dedication to our department.
The keynote speaker will be Ohio House Representative, Bob Cupp of Lima, Ohio.
Other winners include: Grant Schroeder as EMS Provider of the Year and Ashley Truesdale as Rookie of the Year. Angelo Fox takes home the Fitness Award and Curt Yetman is being recognized for Outstanding Training Attendance.
Please do not release award information until after 7:00 P.M.
Contact Person: Joseph Kitchen 419-221-0550

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Bath Township Firefighter/Paramedics Curtis Yetman and Kevin Markward have obtained their certification as Hazmat – Weapons of Mass Destruction Technicians.

The class was conducted at the Shawnee Township Fire Department in Lima, Ohio.

Hazardous Materials Technician is a five-day course that prepares Operations-level responders for Technician-level Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) certification. This 40-hour course, based on NFPA 1072: Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications and NFPA 472 standards, provides participants with HAZMAT-specific response knowledge and skills, enabling them to respond safely and effectively to a suspected incident at the hazardous materials technician level.

They received hands-on training in donning and doffing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Levels A and B, containing leaks and drum over-packing, containing leaks in pressurized containers, and performing technical and mass decontamination. The course culminated with performance of these offensive-level tasks in which they applied the knowledge and skills learned in a simulated HAZMAT environment.

Yetman began his career at Bath Township in August of 2016 and Markward was hired in May of 2018. Both will now serve as Hazmat Technicians on the Allen County Hazmat Team.

Contact person: Chief Joseph Kitchen (419) 221-0550

Click to download press release .PDF –Media Release Hazmat 2019

Bath Township Fire Chief Joe Kitchen has been appointed by Governor DeWine to serve on his newly formed Ohio School Safety Working Group. 

Chief Kitchen will serve on behalf of the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association. 

Upon learning of his appointment, Chief Kitchen said, “I am pleased to have been chosen by the governor to help tackle this extremely urgent and important issue.  I look forward to helping find solutions to make our Ohio schools as safe as possible for both students and teachers.”

Governor DeWine called for the creation of the working group in August when announcing the development of the Ohio School Safety Center, a new statewide office focused on assisting educators and law enforcement in preventing, preparing for, and responding to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm. The working group, which will be led by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, will evaluate current issues regarding school safety and advise the Ohio School Safety Center on its work.

“Members of this working group all have a common goal of making Ohio’s schools as safe as they possibly can be,” said Governor DeWine. “I’m confident that this group will be a great asset as they work to promote a safe environment for Ohio’s school students and school employees.” 

Joseph L. Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550 

Click to download press release .PDF –Media Release Kitchen School Safety