The Wauseon Fire Department protects close to 15,000 residents. Our department protects 15% industrial, 30% residential, and 55% agriculture, farm and wildland within our 62.5 square miles. Our department is a combination – full hazard department, utilizing services of career, part-time, and volunteer members. We provide fire protection, emergency advanced life support (ALS) service, hazardous materials response, Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Rescue Task Force (RTF) Team, Full Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), water rescue, confined space, and technical rescue for Clinton Township, Dover Township, Wauseon, plus mutual aid locations.
We have an ISO Class 4/4Y rating for our district. The population within the service district that Wauseon covers greatly increases during March through October with Sunny’s Campground and the Fulton County Fair. During these months, our population size increases to close to 300,000 individuals; thus increasing the need for fire protection services and EMS. Our department covers one of the busiest railroads in the county that runs from Chicago to the east coast. Over 110 trains per day run through out city that carry Bakkan Crude along with other volatile products. Our district covers close to 200 miles of roadways, which are consisted of 80/90 Ohio Turnpike (Interstate), U.S. Routes, State Highways, County roadways, Township roadways, and municipal roadways. These roadways bring commercial freight continuously traveling throughout our district, along with constant foot traffic, which increases our potential hazmat and fire incidents.
Mission Statement
The Wauseon Fire Department exists to provide a safe environment for the community by minimizing the impact of fire, disaster, hazardous conditions, illness, and injury through information, public education, quality service and efficient resources.
What it Means to be a World Class Fire Department
It means that we recognize that perfection is not possible, but that excellence is achieved through commitment, compassion, and courage. It means that the Wauseon Fire Department:
- Is recognized as the leader in the provision of emergency services to the community of Wauseon and surrounding area. We will be the recognized authority in the areas of fire suppression and emergency medical services, emergency operations and scene management, disaster planning and response, and the incident command system.
- Considers serving our community as a privilege. At all times and situations we should exceed the expectations of every resident and visitor to our community with whom we come in contact with.
- Personnel will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. This means that we will conduct ourselves in a manner that brings credit to the Wauseon Fire Department and the fire service while on-duty as well as off-duty, where the actions of every member models the highest values of public safety service.
- Will take every opportunity to nurture and facilitate county and region-wide partnerships and programs where we can. We will take a leadership role in developing cooperative opportunities when appropriate, and support others who assume the leadership in developing county and regional opportunities.
- Will ensure that our responsibilities for service and programs are delivered in an efficient and effective manner. We will provide the highest level of service with the funding we are given. We will be recognized as an organization that exemplifies the concept of good government.
- We will place an extremely high value on the development of future leaders. The Wauseon Fire Department will support each individual’s effort to achieve their highest potential and will support continuing education and skill development whenever possible. All of our training efforts will focus on teamwork and a positive learning environment where mistakes are recognized as part of the learning process.
- Values teamwork and the strength of decisions developed through open and collaborative processes. Opinions and input are welcomed at all levels of this organization, as we value collaboration.
- Personnel are treated with respect and dignity at all times. Diversity is what makes us strong, and the differences within us mold the integrity and character needed to be a Wauseon Firefighter.