Multiple local fire departments experienced an increase in calls in 2023

Many of the fire departments covering a township in Medina County had a greater number of calls in 2023 than in 2022. The Chatham Township Fire Department experienced a 15 percent increase in calls when comparing 2023 to 2022. The department stated it was Chatham's busiest year since it was established in 1966, with 260 calls received in 2023. Chatham Fire Chief William Disbrow said the increase in calls is a result of an aging population needing medical assistance, as well as the department giving mutual aid to other communities, like Spencer. Brunswick Hills Fire Department had the most calls last year. The department stated there were 1,242 total calls, 45 more than in 2022. The Hinckley Fire Department, Seville-Guilford Township Fire and EMS, Sharon Township Fire Department and Valley City Fire Department all had a similar number of calls last year. Hinckley Fire Chief Jestin Grossenbaugh said the department had 28 more calls in 2023 than in the year prior, for a total of 802 calls last year. Seville-Guilford Fire Chief Brian Cyphert said there was more than a 5 percent increase in calls from 2022 to 2023, leading to exactly 800 calls last year. Sharon Township stated it experienced an even larger increase than Hinckley and Seville-Guilford, with a total of 781 calls, 56 more calls than the previous year. Valley City had 37 more calls in 2023 than in 2022 for a total of 771 calls. Meanwhile, the Granger Township Fire Department and Litchfield Fire and Rescue had a similar number of calls last year as they did the year prior. Granger had 580 calls in 2023, similar to the previous year. Likewise, Litchfield had around 300 calls both years. On the other hand, the Erhart/York Fire Department had a very slight decrease in calls. Erhart/York Fire Chief Jason Creamer said the department leveled out with 465 calls last year, four fewer calls than the year before. The largest jump occurred when the department had nearly 100 more calls in 2021 than it did in 2020. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.