Sheffield Township Returns to Volunteer Fire Department Roots After District Dissolution

By Julie D’Aloiso (Abruzzino)

ASHTABULA COUNTY – Sheffield Township residents will once again be served by a volunteer fire department following the recent dissolution of the Northeast Joint Fire District. At a special meeting on March 26, township trustees approved several resolutions to finalize the district’s end, marking a return to the township’s long tradition of volunteer firefighting service.

As someone who grew up on Lillie Road in Sheffield Township, I remember well the dedicated volunteers who staffed our local fire department before the joint district was formed. The familiar sound of the fire whistle calling volunteers from their homes and workplaces was a fixture of township life for generations.

The Northeast Joint Fire District, formed in 2023, included Sheffield, Monroe and Kingsville townships, but lasted just over two years before financial concerns forced its closure. Sheffield Township withdrew from the district on December 31, 2024, after township trustees determined the district’s direction was going bad for residents with anticipated money shortages ahead. According to Sheffield Township Trustee Alan Kohta, the district would have run out of money by 2026 if it continued with current staffing levels.

Problems for the district began early when Kingsville voters narrowly rejected funding levies in November 2023 by just eight votes (1,020 against to 1,012 in favor), leading to Kingsville’s withdrawal from the arrangement. With Sheffield’s subsequent departure, the district could not legally function with only Monroe Township remaining.

Township officials explored options to address the financial issues, but determined they couldn’t put a levy back on until next year and couldn’t start collecting levy money until 2027, creating an unsustainable gap in funding.

Sheffield Township is now bringing back its volunteer fire department, which had been dissolved when the township joined the district. Township Trustee Kirk White acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting there are fewer volunteer firefighters than there used to be as many residents have less time available to volunteer due to work commitments.

To ensure adequate coverage, the township is looking to supplement volunteer services with contracted work from neighboring communities. Officials are considering agreements with either Plymouth or Kingsville townships, with meetings already held with both to explore partnership options.

The March 26 meeting approved several key agreements, including the division of fire district funds between Sheffield Township (70.79%) and Monroe Township (29.21%), and an agreement for fire protection services.

For longtime residents who remember the dedication of Sheffield’s volunteer firefighters, this transition marks a return to community-based emergency services while acknowledging the modern challenges of maintaining an all-volunteer department in today’s world.

Part of a Statewide Trend

Sheffield Township’s situation reflects a broader pattern affecting volunteer fire departments across Ohio. The state fire marshal’s office reports that most fire departments in Ohio are staffed by volunteers, with the average volunteer now over 54 years old. The state recorded a 6.5% decrease in volunteer firefighters between 2018 and 2021 alone.

The decline is attributed to several factors making it harder to recruit and retain volunteers. Training requirements have increased substantially, from what was once a 36-hour certification process to now requiring 160 hours for basic firefighter certification. Modern family dynamics with more two-income households mean fewer people have time available to volunteer. Many potential volunteers are stretched thin between work and family obligations.

Rural communities like Sheffield Township are feeling the impact most severely. In some townships, volunteer membership has dropped by nearly half over the past decade. This has prompted departments across the state to develop mutual aid agreements with neighboring townships to ensure adequate coverage during emergencies.

Communities are responding with various approaches. Some are transitioning to part-time or full-time departments, others are exploring consolidation with neighboring agencies, and many are relying on mutual aid agreements. The Ohio State Fire Marshal has recently waived Ohio Fire Academy fees for volunteer firefighters to help reduce training barriers.

Sheffield’s decision to return to a volunteer model while seeking supplemental contracted services aligns with these statewide adaptations, as communities seek sustainable models for emergency services in the face of declining volunteer numbers and increasing service demands.