From Chief Tim Rombach


It is with great honor and pride that I was elected to serve as the Chief of this great department. The Bolivar Fire Department made many new additions in 2008. The year started off with the new chief having increased work hours and responsibilities. A new multi-purpose rescue/engine was delivered in April and the emergency call volume drastically increased causing the department to place a third Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic on duty during the daytime weekday shift.

The emergency call volume increased in 2008 from 535 total calls in 2007, to 670 total calls in 2008. Due to this increase of calls the department decided to place a third firefighter/EMT/Paramedic on duty during the weekday hours when most volunteers are at work. The department is staffed with a minimum of two Firefighter/EMT/Paramedics 24 hours a day 7 days a week. With this staffing increase, the department is able to handle multiple calls at the same time, which is occurring on an increasing basis. The addition of the third firefighter also improves firefighting capabilities, now the first out fire apparatus can respond immediately with a full crew.

The average response time from time of call to leaving the station was 84 seconds and the average response time from dispatch to arriving on scene was 5 minutes 7 seconds (this includes mutual aid which has a longer response time).

A new Pierce rescue/engine was delivered in April. The new truck allows the department to accomplish tasks with one truck instead of the two or three trucks that would have been needed in the past. The department has also ordered a new Lifeline ambulance which will be delivered in April of this year. The new Ambulance will replace a 1995 Braun Ambulance.

The two areas that the department improved the most on this year were training and physical fitness. With new workout equipment the weight room has been more active than ever before. The training side of the department saw not only multiple scheduled classes every month but live fire training with the burning of a house and a day at the junkyard burning cars. Although planning and securing the proper permits for live fire training is extremely time consuming, nothing prepares a firefighter better for the job than actually fighting fires.

The department has continued to be an active part of the community. A safety town program was put on at the Bolivar Intermediate School and the department attended safe kid's day at Kent State. The department has also attended open houses at the Commons Pool and the Lawrence Township, Tuscarawas County, building showing off equipment and answering questions about the department. On Halloween, department members canvassed the Village of Bolivar and Wilkshire Hills passing out candy and keeping an eye on the children. Every year during the Village of Bolivar's Strawberry Festival, the department puts on a parade and 5K run for the communities enjoyment.

Last year has been a huge year for the Bolivar Fire Department. Many mile stones have been met with the increased call volume, increased staffing, the addition of new equipment and the increased training hours.

The members are extremely proud of 'your' department, and hope that you can stop by and tour your facilities. Please call the office telephone to make arrangements.

Respectfully Submitted,

Chief Timothy J. Rombach II