Holmes Township Volunteer Fire Department

As we announced earlier in the week, we will be accepting donations of new toys throughout the remainder of the Crawford County Fair in memory of John Schiefer. Donations may be dropped off at the fire dept tent near the Whetstone St. entrance. If you aren’t able to head to the fair this week, but still wish to donate, you can make arrangements to drop off your new toy at the Holmes Township firehouse by sending us a message here. If you wish to make a donation directly to the cause, you can donate to Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation using the link or QR code below. Thanks to all who have made this event a success so far!

https://give.nationwidechildrens.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1744343&pg=personal&fr_id=1840

It’s been a great day at the Crawford County Fair, and we are thankful for all of the donations we have received. After further discussion with the Senior Fair Board, we have decided to accept donations for the duration of the fair. Donations of new toys will be accepted at the Fire Department tent next to the Whetstone Gate at the fairgrounds. In addition, donations can be made by contacting us on our social media. Thanks for helping make the 1st Annual John Schiefer Memorial Toy Harvest a success.

$411 in toys donated by the Grace Harris-Nichols Foundation. The foundation was started following the death of Chief Schiefer's cousin.

Thanks to the Mount Zion Buckeyes 4-H for their donation to the Toy Harvest this afternoon. We appreciate your support.

We received a donation of toys for Nationwide Children's Hospital from Sydney (front) Smith and her brother, Blake. Sydney was recently a surgery patient at Nationwide.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the station yesterday. We are hoping to see more people today at the 2024 Crawford County Fair. We will be collecting toys for the 1st Annual Chief John Schiefer Toy Harvest until 10PM this evening.

We appreciate our congressman, Bob Latta, for visiting our our site at the Crawford County Fair. We're providing fire coverage today, and you can bring a toy donation for Nationwide Children's Hospital to us in memory of Chief John Schiefer.

We're at the firehouse until 4pm today to receive toy donations for the John Schiefer Memorial Toy Harvest for Nationwide Children's Hospital. Also, be weather aware today as we are now under a severe thunderstorm watch until 7:00 p.m.

To kick off the 1st Annual John Schiefer Toy Harvest, Holmes Township firefighters will be at the station between the hours of 2PM-4PM to collect toy donations on Sunday. We will also be collecting toys on Monday at the 2024 Crawford County Fair while we are providing Fire and EMS coverage. The first 250 people who donate toys on Monday, will be given a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream from Mark’s Homemade Ice Cream.

We have been blown away with the interest for the "Toy Harvest" in memory of Chief John Schiefer. We are coordinating this with the Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation. Several people have inquired how to donate if they are unable to attend the Crawford County Fair on Monday, or stop at the Holmes Township VFD on Sunday afternoon. If you wish to donate directly to Nationwide Children's Hospital under the Holmes Township VFD, you may make donations at the link below, or use the QR Code to take you to the page. We are hoping for an amazing turnout to remember Chief Schiefer.

Family picnic and game night!

Happy Independence Day! If you're planning to set off fireworks, observe good safety practices, and note the dry ground conditions around you. Much of the wheat in the area has been harvested, and hot embers could easily start a field fire.

Tuesday evening we were on the scene of two crashes, one after another, on U.S. 30 at the Tiffin Road overpass. Fortunately, there were only minor injuries. Working on busy highways, especially at night, is extremely dangerous due to the lack of respect from other drivers. All first responders and towing personnel put their lives in the hands of other drivers. Far too many vehicles passed tonight's scenes at nearly full speed. One of the more frequent line-of-duty deaths of first responders is being struck by a vehicle while working at a crash scene. The firefighters, cops, and tow truck operators you see on the roadways have families. The firefighters you see in rural areas are most likely volunteers who make a true choice to put their lives in your hands. Don't be that driver. Show respect, and slow down. Thank you.

Almost 1 year ago, our department, as well as our community lost a great leader. In his memory, we will be doing a toy drive benefitting Nationwide Children’s Hospital leading up to July 15, 2024. The members of the Holmes Township Volunteer Fire Department hope you’ll help make this a successful event in John Schiefer’s honor. If you have any questions, please reach out to the department to ask.

Tuesday's disaster drill ended just in time.

We are participating in a full-scale disaster drill at Mennel Milling on Nevada Road. THIS IS ONLY AN EXERCISE.

We assisted Bucyrus Township this morning with a semi-truck fire at the corner of Sinn and Nevada Wynford Roads. Engines 273 and 274 responded with multiple personnel. Dallas and Lykens Townships were dispatched for mutual aid, with Lykens canceled en route.

We assisted Bucyrus Fire Department at a structure fire at the Crawford County Highway Department Monday evening. Engine 273, Squad 275, and Grass Truck 271 responded with multiple personnel.

We assisted Bucyrus Fire Department with a house fire Friday evening. Engine 273 and Squad 275 responded with multiple personnel. Dispatch time was 4:53 p.m. and back in service around 9:00 p.m.

Congratulations to EMT Markie Loftis! This week she completed Paramedic School at Tri-Rivers. We are pleased to announce that she has passed both her written, and her skills exams, and pending the issuance of her Paramedic certification from the State of Ohio, will be credentialed this week. We are proud of the long hours and dedication to complete this course!

17 graduates completed the National Registry Paramedic psychomotor exam today. Eleven of them have already passed the written exam and should receive their state certification this week! Congratulations to all!!

Friday evening we were dispatched to a working structure fire involving a swine barn. Thank you to the following fire departments and agencies that were part of the response: Bucyrus Fire Department squad, Bucyrus Township, Chatfield, Dallas, Liberty, Lykens Townships, Bloom Township and Attica from Seneca County, Carey, Sycamore, Wyandot East, Crawford County Sheriff's Office, and Ohio Department of Transportation. We are also grateful for the many friends and neighbors who brought food and water for the firefighters. Dispatch time was 5:11 p.m. and we finished cleanup around 11:00 p.m.

We responded just before midnight Friday night to a one-vehicle crash with possible entrapment on SR4 at Temple Road. Upon arrival all occupants had escaped the vehicle and were being examined by BFD paramedics. We secured the scene, awaited arrival of towing company, and returned to service. Ohio State Patrol is investigating.

We provided mutual aid to Bucyrus Township VFD Sunday evening for a working structure fire. Engine 273, Tanker 272 and Squad 275 responded. Crews were able to quickly attack and extinguish the fire. Other departments on scene were: Dallas Twp., Whetstone Twp., Wyandot East, Bucyrus City Medic 11.

Congratulations to the Wynford class of 2024!

We are pleased to announce the recipient of the John Schiefer Memorial Fire/EMS Scholarship, sponsored by the Holmes Twp. V.F.D. She is Breanna Stanfield, who will start classes in August at Tri-Rivers Career Center to earn certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. Congratulations, Breanna!

TORNADO WATCH: The National Weather Service has placed Crawford County and northwest Ohio under a Tornado Watch until 11:00 p.m. This means conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes. Take steps now to prepare for severe weather, and be ready to take shelter if/when the time comes.

We still have spaces left in the Fire Pump Operators course this weekend at Holmes Township Volunteer Fire Department. Please use the link below to register.

Holmes Township Volunteer Fire Department Training Request Please click the link to complete this form.

The fall open burning ban has expired for 2023. That does NOT, however, mean you can burn wherever and whatever you want. Before you light that pile of brush or burn your trash, click on the link below to learn what's allowed. Be safe!

com.ohio.gov

We are thankful for our supporters! To all who buy cheese and gun raffle tickets, to all who offer an encouraging word, to everyone...have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

The fall burn ban remains in effect. Emergency Management is indicating you should definitely follow the law. Extreme fire threat is indicated in the shaded counties.