LICKING COUNTY, Ohio — Licking County is booming and one of its fire departments is asking voters for more money to be able to cover the additional residents.
The West Licking Fire Department covers 125 square miles and the area is expected to add thousands of residents over the next two years.
“We have unprecedented growth in this area and it is hitting us everywhere,” said West Licking Fire Department Chief Jack Treinish.
The department is asking voters on Tuesday to approve a new 4-mill levy to add additional firefighters.
“We have a strong belief here about quick response. We built a station in Jersey Township because there was a 12-minute response. Now it's 3-4 minutes. Everyone is equal, everyone should have the same quick response,” said Treinish.
Treinish said his department needs nine additional firefighters that he can only hire if a levy is passed.
“In the fire world, you have cross-manned trucks. You will either jump on a medic or a firetruck. If that medic goes out, that firetruck sits empty with no one to get water or vice versa. This levy will allow us to have dedicated crews,” Treinish said.
If the levy is passed, it will mean an additional $140 yearly per $100,000 in home valuation.
In 2014, the department took 4,681 runs for service. It is on pace this year for nearly double that at 8,800 runs.
“Population is growing. Our Marshal's bureau has 5,000 planned residential units that will be built in the next year or two,” Treinish said.
Treinish explains those units are expected to generate another 1,500 to 2,000 runs a year, but not necessarily add more money for the department.
“We spread the bill, if you will. If you need $100 out of me when it comes to it, as more people move in it gets lowered. We would really like to get this levy on now with those 5,000 units that are coming in,” Treinish said.
Treinish argues that growth doesn't even take into account the 40 million square feet plus in big box businesses like Meta, Google and Amazon. His department is responsible for not only fire protection, but inspections to prevent major issues.
All that additional growth needs time from his firefighters, in a business where time can mean life and death.
“I think we provide an excellent service with a quick response time and a high survivability rate,” Treinish argued.