As the investigation continues into Shawnee Fire Chief Austin Miller, a letter submitted to the township trustees is raising concerns about the probe and its impact on public safety.
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It was a full house at the Shawnee Township Trustees meeting following last month’s announcement that the fire department’s leader was placed on leave. On May 30, Shawnee Fire Chief Austin Miller was placed on paid administrative leave by the township’s trustees. At Monday night’s meeting, some residents raised questions about Miller’s leave.
A massive barn fire in Darke County prompted a response from more than 30 agencies across six counties in two states early Tuesday morning.
Lima City Council continues their discussions from April on potentially changing their hiring procedures for the city's Police and Fire Chief. The conversation of this possible change is occurring as both Chief Angel Cortes with the Lima Police Department and Chief Andy Heffner with the Lima Fire Department will be retiring later this year leaving both positions open. Currently, the Lima Police and Fire Departments only permit hiring of the next chief by conducting an internal search, but council is considering expanding that search to external candidates outside of each department. However, councilors present different stances on what should occur.
LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The City of Lima continued to review budget proposals for 2023.
The Indian Joint Fire District held their 3rd Annual Santa Tour Wednesday night. Kids had a chance to see Santa both on the air boat and back at the fire station. Free hot chocolate was provided to families while the little ones waited in line for their turn to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and go pick out a free toy. The department enjoys showing the community their vehicles and seeing the children have a great time.
Multiple fire departments responded to a fully engulfed barn fire in Auglaize County Saturday morning. Just before 3:30 a.m., the St. Marys Fire Department was called out to the 17420 Koenig Road after the homeowners saw their barn on fire. The barn was filled with equipment. St. Marys Township, Celina, New Knoxville, and Buckland departments were called in to help fight the fire. St. Marys Fire Chief say the barn and the contents are considered total losses. No one was injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Lima Fire Chief praises the work of his firefighters and EMT’s who responded to a fatal nine vehicle crash on I-75 in September. During the mayor’s press conference, Chief Andy Heffner said when a situation is at its worst, the men and women of the Lima Fire Department must be at their best, which is what happened on September 4th. He says he is proud of how they handled the chain reaction crash that started on top of the SR 309 overpass and had a debris field that stretched for over a mile. Along with the one fatality, they had to deal with multiple people injured, multiple agencies responding to help, and helped maintain the crash scene until everything was cleaned up.
First responders were called to a garage fire at around 2 p.m. on the 1000 block of Front Street. Upon arrival the fire spread to other parts of the house. According to the Alger Assistant Fire Chief no one was injured, and everyone made it out, but they believe the home will be considered a total loss.
The Lima Fire Department has a new chief that is a familiar face. Andy Heffner was sworn in today (Wednesday) by his brother, former Lima Fire Department Chief Mark Heffner. The younger Heffner has been with the department 25 years and credits his older brother with making him a better firefighter with his mentorship. Andy becomes Lima’s 19th Fire Chief and is looking forward to his duties as chief.