Medical emergencies drive most calls for Wadsworth Fire and EMS responses in 2025

WADSWORTH — Emergency medical calls continued to dominate the workload for Wadsworth Fire and EMS in 2025, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the department's responses. Wadsworth Fire and EMS responded to 3,640 total incidents during 2025, with 2,894 being emergency medical incidents, according to the annual report. "Basically that's the majority of our calls, 85 to 90 percent, and what were seeing is more and more times where we'll have three ambulances out at once, and sometimes even a fourth," Fire Chief Robert Lindner said. The report shows 3,182 EMS calls in 2025, with 2,378 of those incidents resulting in patients being treated and transported to hospitals, and 804 calls were refused or canceled. Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital received the largest number of transported patients with 773. The department also handled a smaller number of fire-related emergencies in 2025, with 26 building fires, along with vehicle fires and brush fires. While fire calls played a smaller part in the department's workload, response times have slightly improved. The average response time was 5.55 minutes, compared to 5.57 minutes in 2024, according to the report. "A couple of years ago, we would only staff four or five, but now our goal is to have seven. The more people you have working at the station, the quicker we can get an engine out," Lindner said. The report also shows a reduction in fire safety inspections, dropping to 168 in 2025, which is down from 222 in 2024. "Our inspectors are EMS personnel who work at the station. With the increase in EMS calls, it doesn't give them as much time to get out and do inspections," he said. Lindner said the department plans to continue replacing equipment through a long-term capital plan. Fire engines are usually replaced every 25 years, while ambulances are replaced every eight to 10 years. Funding for EMS operations comes mainly from voter-approved levies. Another levy could be considered in the near future to help support staffing and equipment needs, Lindner said. Although the number of EMS calls is growing, prevention and education programs remain an important part of the department's work. Programs like "Sound off with the Home Fire Safety Patrol" teach students about fire safety and encourage families to check smoke detectors in their homes. "I like to think the safety education within the schools is a big factor in decreasing the number of fire calls that we're receiving," he said. Contact reporter Sam Russ at (330) 491-6962 or sruss@medina-gazette.com.