Westshore Fire District Moving Forward

Momentum for the Westshore Fire District may have cooled, but it certainly is not extinguished.

The seven cities participating in the district are continuing their efforts to see how the fire departments’ services could be consolidated.

A feasibility study conducted last year — funded by a grant from EfficientGovNow — looked at ways fire departments from , , Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, North Ridgeville and Rocky River could work together.

The report found that there are more than two dozen ways the cities could cooperate — even if a joint fire district isn’t formed.

Lakewood has its own dispatch service (through the police department), so it’s not likely to be involved in a joint dispatch center if the other departments decide to move forward with that initiative.

However, Lakewood Fire Chief said there are plenty of ways the departments can cooperate. He called the joint effort a “work in progress. 

“(The joint fire district) hasn’t gotten going full speed yet, but it’s a hard concept for the departments to work as one,” he said. “We’ve already taken steps to share our resources, and keep our costs down.”

The departments routinely provide mutual aid to each other, but Gilman said there are other ways the departments are already working together.

The compact recently received a $135,000 grant, earmarked for radio equipment.

Gilman said the district used the cash to buy seven mobile data terminals, 10 vehicle radios and 14 portable radios.

“They are expensive pieces of equipment,” he said, adding that the new radios will allow the departments to communicate with other cities from around the state. “It will expand our communications capability.”

Gilman said the new county administration was “instrumental” in helping to erect two communication towers — one at Stearns Road and Interstate 480 and the other at Columbia Road and I-90.

Two members of the Westshore Fire District — Lakewood and Rocky River — recently participated in a joint training session to teach firefighters about rapid intervention. In another example of cooperation, Gilman said, the session was presented by a Fairview Park firefighter using Fairview Park equipment.

In addition, Lakewood also participates in the Westshore Hazardous Materials Response Team should an environmental emergency arise in the region. The district shares the HAZMAT vehicle.

There are also plans in the works to create a district-wide resource manual.

“That’s a big one,” Gilman said. “That’s like our playbook.”

The Westshore Fire District has a closed-door meeting scheduled for next Thursday to discuss the future of the compact.