By Warren Dillaway
Star Beacon
ORWELL, Ohio — The village fire department is adjusting to a new normal, with part-time firefighters adding to the department’s roster, seeking to provide more reliable service to the communities it supports.
Dave Bracale and Josh Grigus are two of four new firefighters working shifts at the department.
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Orwell Fire Chief Shane Gregory said the department hopes to hire several more firefighters by January to fill out the roster and have two firefighters on duty seven days a week.
Bracale and Grigus bring experience from years of service in Geauga County departments.
“I’m bringing some experience,” Grigus said of his work in Hambden Township.
Many county departments are trying to figure out the next step in fire service as the volunteer department model is harder and harder to keep active. Most departments have moved to a pay-by-call operation.
Bracale has served on the Newbury Fire Department and works for South Central Ambulance District, as well. A side benefit to regular staffing at the firehouse is department members being able to address a variety of tasks that need to be accomplished.
“We have implemented new daily work chores,” Bracale said.
Gregory, who is in his second stint as fire chief, said the reorganization is going well, and the department will be able to do more as far as day-to-day work, plan for the future and educate the public.
He said the addition of paid part-time firefighters provides a regularity to staffing at the firehouse, and opens the door for a more complete department to protect and serve the community.
The department will be able to have a more active fire prevention program, check emergency key boxes with area business, have time to complete incident reports and to plan for the future with businesses, as well, Gregory said.
“Right now, there are four guys [working paid shifts], and we are looking for two more,” he said.
During recent council meetings, village leaders said area businesses and industries have responded positively to the changes.
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