Sharon Township Fire Department calls rise in 2025 and continue into March

SHARON TWP. — The Sharon Township Fire Department responded to a record 843 incidents in 2025, which continues a three-year rise in calls mainly by emergency medical service demand, according to its annual report. In 2025, emergency medical calls made up a majority of responses, accounting for 587 incidents, or 70 percent of all calls. Fire-related incidents totaled 47 calls, 6 percent, with the remaining calls being false alarms, service calls and hazardous conditions. The data highlights the department's growing role as an EMS provider. "EMS incidents remained the dominant call type each year," according to the report. EMS calls have increased since 2023, going from 544 to 587, which is nearly an 8 percent increase. Of those calls, 86 percent were medical emergencies not involving vehicle crashes whereas incidents involving crashes made up only six percent. The department's average response time from dispatch to arrival in 2025 was eight minutes and six seconds, with fire-related calls being nine minutes and 52 seconds on average. That upward trend has carried into 2026 with an increase of 39 calls in March as compared to the same period last year, according to Fire Chief Mike Stanec. Stanec said that the department responded to nine calls on March 19 in Tuesday's township trustees meeting. "The guys did amazing; they handled them all," he said. This March 2026 so far, the department responded to 38 emergency medical service calls, three fires and 26 other incidents. Stanec also reported that the department provided mutual aid to neighboring agencies five times and received assistance once. Other instances this month included five weather-related calls, six service calls and six false alarm calls. Stanec said the increase reflects a busy start to the spring season, but the department continues to meet demand. Contact reporter Sam Russ at (330) 491-6962 or sruss@medina-gazette.com.