Wayne Twp. Fire Dept. fundraising for new ambulance

Wayne Twp. Fire Dept. fundraising for new ambulance
Submitted

The Wayne Township Fire Department will host its annual Fireman’s Festival on Friday, Aug. 6 at Dundee Elementary. All funds raised at this event will be used for the purchase of a new ambulance.

                        

The story of the little engine that could is not one that should be told as part of a fire department. Unfortunately, that is the case for the crews at the Wayne Township (Dundee) Fire Department. The question is “will it get us there?” And sometimes, especially in adverse weather conditions where road quality is an issue, there are many prayers sent up in hopes that it will be a safe journey.

Marcellus Beachy, a paramedic with the department, said there is a need for a new unit, especially one that has some special abilities to better serve those who call Wayne Township home. He is part of a crew that has grown in numbers since 2016 and includes two paramedics and 10 EMTs with three more in training.

“We are dedicated to this community,” Beachy said.

Seeing that dedication, the Wayne Township trustees have agreed to help foot some of the cost for a new ambulance, but the remaining balance falls on the plate of the fire department. The new 2021 Ford F-450 will essentially be a gift to the community as, going forward, the LifeLine Unit will be one that can be easily put onto a new chassis, saving the cost of a new box, the most expensive part of an ambulance.

It will be equipped with four-wheel drive, something the department does not have at the moment, which means getting to parts of the township no matter what the weather or condition of a driveway will now be possible. In addition, a special service area for a Stokes Rescue Basket will be included. This will be particularly useful for rescues at locations such as Dundee Falls and other areas where hikers enjoy the countryside.

The unit, to be built by LifeLine, a company with an exceptional track record in Ohio, can be serviced locally if the need arises. He said the box of the ambulance is the most expensive part. However, by choosing to work with LifeLine, there is the ability to change out just the chassis going forward, a cost-saving measure. The goal is to order the ambulance as soon as possible in order to take delivery by the end of the year as build times are approximately 180 days.

Beachy praised the support of Wayne Townships trustees. “They have seen our level of commitment to the community and our dedication in service and are willing to invest in us and the community,” he said.

When it comes to commitment, the growing roster speaks for itself. Beachy said when he joined the department in 2016, just after getting his EMT card, the group was not in a great place. “Most of the time when we were dispatched, Smith Ambulance was also called out because we couldn’t turn a crew,” he said. “There were six EMTs, and about three of them made most of the calls.”

The department is working hard to raise the funds that are needed. Currently, they are conducting a raffle and will host their annual Fireman’s Festival on Friday, Aug. 6 at Dundee Elementary. All funds raised at this event, according to Fire Chief Joseph Miller, will be used for the purchase of the ambulance.

The raffle is online at www.bit.ly/3i4WNgR and includes prizes such as an E-bike, a $1,000 gift card to Erb’s Stove Center, a Bergara B-14 Hunter 7MM, a Stoeger 12-gauge, a Hellcat Pistol, a Barnett Whitetail Hunter Crossbow, a Ruger American 450, fishing equipment, tools and gift cards. Tickets are $10 each or 12 for $100 and can be purchased until 8 p.m. on Aug. 6.

For those without online access, physical tickets are available from any member of the fire department at the same cost. The drawing will be held at 9:30 p.m. Winners do not need to be present to win.

Miller said the annual Fireman’s Festival is just one night this year — Aug. 6 at Dundee Elementary. However, there will be something for everyone, including the group’s annual auction, which is slated to get going at 6 p.m. The auction will have many items including an E-bike, walk-behind Snapper mower, Enviro bricks and more. Miller noted a special item will be a Beachy’s brand pony cart.

The group also is looking for donated items. Items can be dropped off at the event on Aug. 6. For those who need pickup of items, call Miller at 330-340-7788 or Marvin Yoder at 330-231-8038.

In addition, there will be barbecued chicken dinners and homemade ice cream available in the food line that will start serving at 5 p.m. Live entertainment will include the vocal stylings of Wacky Country and John Schmid. Wacky Country will play at 8 p.m., followed by Schmid from 9:30-11 p.m.

There will be a bounce house for the children to enjoy as well. A cornhole tournament will be tossed around at 8:30 p.m. A volleyball tourney also is scheduled. To sign up, call 330-275-6773. The much-loved mouse game is scheduled in addition to a dunk tank, so be sure to bring some quarters and a few extra dollars to dunk your favorite neighbor.

Miller said a medical helicopter has been scheduled for a visit, weather and emergencies permitting, at 8:15 p.m.

“Your support is needed to make this a successful auction and festival,” Miller said.

For more information about the new ambulance, how to help with the festival or to purchase raffle tickets, call 330-852-3361.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load