Fire Department
Town: Short Feature
The mission of the Bowling Green Fire Division is to provide quality fire and emergency medical services in a safe, timely and efficient manner.
In 2008, the fire division responded to 670 fire calls. Calls included structure fires, dumpster fires, vehicle fires, unauthorized burning, accidental and malicious false alarms, hazardous materials incidents, investigations and other calls for assistance. Fire division personnel also responded to 1871 emergency medical calls.
The fire division maintains two stations. The main station is at 552 East Court Street, adjacent to the Bowling Green State University campus. The Court Street station has a minimum of eight firefighters on duty at all times. The fire chief, deputy fire chief and administrative secretary have offices in the Court Street station.
In 1999, the division opened the west side fire station at 1060 Pearl Street. Four firefighters staff this station.
There are fifty one career firefighters working for the Bowling Green Fire Division. There are three platoons, each working a 24 hour shift. Shift personnel include a captain, three lieutenants and twelve firefighters. All Bowling Green firefighters are also licensed emergency medical technicians and 23 are trained to the paramedic level. The division operates advanced life support ambulances from both stations.
A typical day at the firehouse begins with a morning meeting followed by inspection and maintenance of vehicles and equipment. Daily training and review of standard operating guidelines follow. Firefighters train with fire suppression equipment, rescue tools and techniques and emergency medical procedures. Throughout the day, firefighters preplan responses to commercial, industrial and residential occupancies, test firefighting and emergency medical equipment, conduct fire safety inspections, provide fire prevention programs and attend continuing education classes. Firefighters can also utilize physical fitness equipment provided at each station.
The fire division maintains four Class A pumpers, two ladder trucks with 100 foot aerial platforms, three advanced life support ambulances, one rescue vehicle, a mini-pumper with heavy rescue tools and four utility vehicles.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is an independent organization that evaluates fire departments and local water supplies to determine insurance rates for local business and industry. The ISO classes range from Class 1 (best protection) to Class 10 (least protection). The Bowling Green Fire Division earned an ISO Class 2 rating in 2001. There are only 26 Class 2 departments in Ohio and no Class 1 departments.
The Bowling Green Fire Division is proud to serve the citizens of Bowling Green and the visitors to the community.