At a public meeting on March 5th, Hiram Village Council and Mayor Ann Haynam reviewed the Fire Department operations for 2025, including call volume, budget allocations, coverage, and staffing. This came in response to the retirement of Fire Chief Bill Byers and the resignation of Assistant Chief Jason Groselle in February.
It was noted that in 2025, the department made 570 total runs and 110 mutual aid runs. The cost-per-run was calculated at $1,026.48*. (*This number doesn’t include mutual aid calls). Council plans to compare this cost with comparable departments. In 2025, the portion of the budget allocated for staffing was 75%; in 2026, the projection was 82%. It was noted that the department currently has a staffing shortage, many departments across Northern Ohio are experiencing a significant shortage of firefighters. In fact, over 70% of Ohio’s fire departments rely on volunteers.
At their meeting, Mayor Haynam and Council reviewed four potential Fire Department Organizational models that were developed by Mayor Haynam and Fiscal Officer Miller. Two of the proposed models include the hiring of a full-time Fire Chief, while two other models include a part-time position to run the department. Mayor Haynam shared that she’s been providing updates to both the College and Hiram Township throughout the process, and that maintaining a joint Fire District with the township remains another option for consideration. Mayor Haynam indicated that Hiram Township Trustees are also working on a proposal. For its part, Hiram Village is currently looking for a new Fire Chief. Interested parties can review the job posting at hiramohio.org.
In addition, Council and Mayor Haynam shared the following on the Village website:
“The Hiram Fire Department has a contract to provide services to residents of Hiram Township. On Tuesday evening, Township Trustees voted to give 90-days’ notice to end the contract such that as of July 17th we will no longer provide services for Hiram Township residents. While we are open to proposals from the Township Trustees and hope to receive something soon, the deadline will only effect Township residents. Hiram Village has the resources to continue offering fire and EMS coverage within the limits of Hiram Village beyond the July 17th deadline.”
The next meetings of both Hiram Village Council and Hiram Township Trustees will take place on Tuesday, April 21 at 7 pm. The Village meeting takes place in the Rosser Municipal Building at 11617 Garfield Road, while the Trustee meeting will take place in the Township’s building at 6352 State Route 82. Residents of both communities are encouraged to attend.
