Northwestern Ruritans hear from fire chiefs
The Northwestern Ruritan Club met Sept. 3 for the monthly dinner/meeting at Northwestern High School. President Jamie Bowman welcomed members and guests Adam Hory and Joe and Kelly Rice. The group joined in singing “America,” and the invocation was given by Jim Johnson. The dinner was served by the NWHS chefs.
Hory, chief of the Town & Country Fire Department in West Salem, and Joe Rice, chief of the New Pittsburg Fire Department, each gave stories about their departments. The T & C Fire Department was formed in 1874 in West Salem, and in 1973 it formed a district including West Salem, Congress and Homer townships (40 square miles). During the week four members are on duty full-time with the majority of calls being EMS. They had about 650 calls last year. The department would like more members and is hoping the Wayne County Career Center will start a training program for students.
Rice joined the NP Department in 1976 while a senior in high school, making this his 48th year. He is the third generation of his family to be the NP chief with his grandfather and father having served before him. In 1941 the department bought a used 1931 fire engine, in 1945 purchased extinguishers for electric and fuel fires, and in 1954 bought a new fully equipped fire engine. Much new equipment has been purchased since then.
The station has been added onto six times over the years. They are 100% volunteers, and 1,236 hours were spent in training this past year. The district covers 64 square miles in Chester and Congress townships, working very closely with the T & C Fire Department and other neighboring fire departments. The year 2025 will be the department's 100th anniversary.
Chuck Beck’s treasurer’s report was approved subject to audit. Club officers for 2025 will be elected at the October meeting, with current officers willing to serve again if there are no other nominations. Bowman reported the flags for Parade of Flags were out for Labor Day and would be left out for Patriot’s Day on Sept. 11. It was said the 30 flags along the highway in front of the NW school buildings are spectacular, as well as those out in the community.
Beck said the next trash roadside pickup will be Oct. 15. Helpers will meet at the NW Middle School parking lot at 9:30 a.m. He appreciated the full crew helping on Aug. 13. Beck also said the next Husky Brigade package mailing will be Nov. 16. He would appreciate members bringing in goodies for the packages at the next meeting.
It was suggested members be thinking of how the country's 250th birthday can be celebrated in 2026. The Ohio District Ruritan Convention will be in Smithville on Saturday, Nov. 9 in the Brethren Church. With no more business, the meeting was adjourned with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The next dinner meeting will be Monday, Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at NW High School, with directors meeting at 6 p.m. in the library.