By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
Ohio regulations require that firefighting personal protective equipment be replaced every ten years, regardless of the condition. The regulation ensures that firefighters walk into emergencies with the optimal chance of coming out safe. Thanks to a $15,000 grant from Norfolk Southern, the Green Springs Fire Department’s equipment is now up to industry standards.
The Green Springs Volunteer Fire Department was a 2024 recipient of a $15,000 Norfolk Southern Safety First Grant. The grants were created to promote community safety across Norfolk Southern’s 22-state network and are distributed to nonprofit organizations, schools and government entities that provide direct safety service or operate programs that support safe behavior.
To be eligible, the fund requests must align with at least one of Norfolk Southern’s focus areas of safety, sustainability, workforce development and thriving communities. The Safety First Grant will help the Green Springs Fire Department keep families safe in its service area, which extends into both Seneca and Sandusky counties.
“We contract with the Village of Green Springs, all of Adams Township and portions of Pleasant, Ballville and Green Creek townships,” said Green Springs Fire Department Chief Greg Lowe.
The grant helped fund personal protective equipment for four firefighters, including coats, bunker pants and helmets.
“We had four guys whose turnout gear was getting out of date. We needed to get more gear, and this grant helped,” Lowe said. “I really want to thank Norfolk Southern for giving us the grant money.”
Norfolk Southern’s generous donation was very beneficial to the all-volunteer fire department, but they need more help – both in manpower and funding – to provide the best service possible. When Lowe started with the department in 1986, the station had a roster of 40. Today, it has only 26 volunteers.
“Our numbers are down. We are always looking for volunteers,” Lowe said. “Through our department, we train the first two Mondays of every month and offer outside training also.”
Green Springs Fire Department volunteer firemen receive training unique to the rural areas they service, like the grain bin rescue training that will be offered on Saturday, March 22, at Commissioner Bill and Janet Frankart’s Adams Township farm.
The class, which will train firefighters in the use of grain rescue tubes, will be offered in conjunction with the state fire marshal’s office. The training will be available to area departments, but space is limited.
Local residents cannot only help by joining the volunteer department, but they can also offer support by attending the monthly All-You-Can-Eat Breakfasts at the fire station at 120 Catherine St. in Green Springs. The breakfasts are held the third Sunday of every month from 7:30 a.m. to noon, October through April.
Breakfast costs $10 for adults and $5 for kids and includes scrambled eggs, the fire department’s famous sausage, pancakes or French toast, coffee or tea. Milk or orange juice is 50 cents.
The Seneca County Commissioners want to thank the Green Springs volunteer firefighters for their continual service to area residents.
“The Seneca County Commissioners are grateful for the volunteer firefighters who sacrifice to keep our communities safe,” said Commissioner Bill Frankart. “As an Adams Township resident, I am especially appreciative of their dedication and service, and I would like to thank the department for putting time and effort into obtaining this very beneficial grant.”
For more information, visit the department’s website at www.greenspringsfire.com or the Green Springs Fire Department Facebook page.