Ravenna Safety Forces Face Staffing Crisis as Call Volumes Soar

Both of Ravenna’s safety forces are facing critical staffing shortages while dealing with unprecedented call volumes and serious crimes, officials told city council on October 6.

The fire department has responded to 2,618 emergency calls through September, averaging 9.65 calls per day. Of those, 2,183 were EMS-related while 435 involved fire incidents, including six working structure fires within city limits.

Fire Chief Mark Chapple presented concerning statistics showing 37% of calls overlap, meaning multiple emergencies occur simultaneously. When this happens, the station can be left with one or zero personnel on duty. The department has issued 169 general alarm recalls this year, averaging one every two to three days to bring off-duty firefighters back. However, only an average of 1.18 personnel return per recall, and on 59 occasions this year, no one responded, leaving the station completely unstaffed.

The fire department operates with 21 staff members on three 24-hour shifts with seven personnel per shift. By contract, staffing can drop to four before overtime must be used. The department has operated at minimum staffing 59 times so far this year.

Using Ohio Fire Chiefs Association standards of 110 calls per firefighter annually, Ravenna’s 21 firefighters are each handling 171.42 calls per year, more than 60 calls above recommended levels.

Council Member Amy Michael told council the police department is experiencing similar challenges. The department has responded to 10 shootings this year, with each incident involving multiple people requiring extensive investigations. There are currently 30 active sexual assault cases of various types under investigation.

According to Ohio Chief of Police Association estimates, the department needs 28 officers for current call volume but has only 22 on staff. Individual officers are handling approximately 70 cases each, compared to the recommended eight to 12 cases. Current shifts average three officers on duty at a time.

The department has logged approximately $167,000 in overtime through the current date.

Michael emphasized that many incidents involve transient individuals rather than Ravenna residents. She noted that multiple domestic calls now require three to four officers, with one recent fight requiring all six available police cars.

The staffing shortage also impacts downtown foot patrol requests. With only three officers per shift, deploying one officer on foot patrol leaves insufficient coverage for serious calls like domestic violence incidents.

Both departments work eight-hour shifts due to staffing coverage requirements, though 12-hour shifts are preferred in law enforcement and fire service for reducing stress and providing more recovery time between shifts.

Chapple said the department’s call volume has more than doubled over the past 20 years, from approximately 1,800 calls annually in 1996 to a projected 3,600-plus for this year. However, staffing has only increased from six to seven personnel per shift during that time.

Michael urged council members to contact both chiefs to better understand current conditions. She emphasized that recent changes in the community have created new challenges for both departments.

City council is considering forming strategic planning committees to conduct unbiased reviews of both police and fire department needs. Chapple proposed creating a committee comprised of community members, department personnel, council members and the mayor to analyze call volume, staffing costs and departmental needs.

The committee would review data including call types, response times, preventable versus non-preventable incidents and times of peak demand. Rather than having department heads advocate directly for resources, the committee would provide objective recommendations based on data analysis.

Michael indicated the topic would be discussed at an upcoming Public Health and Safety Committee meeting.

Council Member Paul Moskun said he supports any feasible manner to increase staffing in both departments given how critical they are and how conditions have changed over the years.

Plans for a new public safety building are also moving forward. Council President Rob Kairis announced that legislation will be introduced in October for a combined police and fire facility with a modest city hall addition. A subcommittee is recommending a 25-cent income tax increase to appear on the May ballot to fund construction estimated at an additional $5 million for the city hall component.

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