Valley City Fire Department to start free residential lock box program in township

LIVERPOOL TWP. — The Valley City Fire Department recently announced the start of a free lock box program that allows fire, rescue and police personnel to gain easier access into the homes of eligible and participating residents during an emergency where someone cannot reach the door. A lock box can be installed on a resident's home, and inside the box is a key to the house. Lt. Ian Shirey said the boxes can be placed by hooking it over the top of a door or fastened to the exterior of the door. A universal key to open all lock boxes in the township would be securely housed in the fire apparatus and only be used during an emergency. Previously, if someone was having a medical emergency and was unable to answer the door, the department would have to forcibly enter the residence, he said. "The real benefit of this is, No. 1, we can get in without damaging the property, and we can get in very quickly," Shirey said. "Sometimes having to do forcible entry, it can take a minute or two to make your way through the door. That's additional time it takes us to get to the patient." He said the idea first came to be when Fire Prevention Officer Chris McDaniel proposed the program to the Valley City Firefighters Association. The Liverpool Township trustees decided to have residents pay no additional charge for the service. "We took it to the Liverpool Township trustees to present to them for their approval, and they really went above and beyond," he said. "They said, 'We really love this program so much. Let's make it a free program for our residents and pay for it out of the tax revenue that's generated out of the township.'" Residents who have special needs, a major medical disability or are 65 and older are eligible to participate in the program, he said. Those interested can contact the fire department at (330) 483-1986 or email knox@valleycityfire.com to get started. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.