Central Joint Fire District recently conducted its annual winter banquet and awards banquet.
Named firefighter of the year was Sgt. Michael Ebert, who has been a member of the department for about
two years. He hails from Catawba Island and Port Clinton High School.
He graduated from Bowling Green State University in August 2010 in medical technology and is working at
St. Anne’s in Toledo in that capacity.
Ebert is a very hard worker and can often be found at the station completing some chore or another- many
times taking the initiative without having to be asked. He is a team player and helps out the newer
members.
Fire officer of the year Lt. Greg Delaney is a hard working team player. His specific responsibilities
include buildings and grounds but he also chips in as needed on extra details such as POD building and
helping to instruct and supervise new members.
He attends trainings and runs on a regular basis. Delaney was born in Toledo and attended Maumee High
School.
His passion for the service is noteworthy as he states: "I am paying a debt forward because some day
I or my family may be on the receiving end". He enjoys NASCAR and football. Greg has received this
award in 1997 and was also a recipient of the Frank Foss Life Flight Award in 1999.
In reviewing the activities of the past year Chief Ron Bechstein noted Central Joint was a busy
department. The run volume increased considerably from about 200 in 2009 runs to 262 in 2010. There were
11 structure fires, five vehicle fires and nine wildland and 14 field fires.
The combination of wildland and field fires is a very significant increase due to the hot and dry weather
this past summer and fall.
The department responded to 39 motor vehicle accidents and 138 rescue EMS runs. The total number of
responses by township was 84 for Liberty, Portage Township 62, I-75 runs 44, Village of Portage 35 and
21 runs in Plain Township.
Bechstein noted in his year in review summary some of the many accomplishments of the department.
One of the more significant was the purchase of a previously owned Fire Safety Trailer for the district.
The fire safety trailer will be used for Fire Prevention Week at Elmwood Schools with other departments
who cover that facility as well as additional groups within and near the district. A safety town concept
and curriculum is being developed and the trailer will be used with youth groups such as 4-H and scouts
through the year.
Participation in the community was highlighted by our Halloween party and Trick or Treat night in Portage
and Rudolph, trash pick-up along Ohio 25, scholarships for two high school students, participation in
various parades and donations to the American Heart Association and Relay for Life. The response the
Lake Township tornado was also reviewed.
A new outbuilding for storage was completed along with an electrical upgrade inside the station for
lighting.
The use of Face Book for timely advice and safety warnings increased dramatically in terms of number of
"friends" and hits as did the website.
According to Assistant Chief Ryan Lee the members of CJFD donated over 5,200 hours of their time for
training and community involvement this past year. This is in keeping with our theme of Calming Fears,
Easing Minds and Saving Lives.
Central Joint Fire District covers 77 square miles and about 4,000 people in Liberty Township, Portage
Township, the Village of Portage and parts of Plain Township.