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VALLEY FIRE DISTRICT

As of April 15, 2025 we are on call 227 for the year.

Bicycle shop fire: There were no injuries to anyone in the community or fire personnel. Ten fire departments assisted on the call. The fire started just before 1:00AM and it was under control around 4:00 AM. Other departments left scene around 11:00AM and completed clean up around 4:00PM.

Our personnel did a great job with this disaster; some worked fifteen hours with fire suppression and clean up. We had members show up the next day after they got off their other jobs to assist with fire and cleanup. We had members work all night then leave first thing in the morning to go to other jobs. Chief Packard and the Fire Board are super proud of our members.

Here is some of the other help we received during the fire: County investigation team, County drone team, Peninsula Police Department, Boston Heights Police Department, Richfield Police Department, Peninsula Service Department, Peninsula Coffee Shop, Winking Lizard, Valley Fire Board members, Peninsula Mayor, National Park Rangers, as well as members of the community. Fire investigators completed the bike shop fire investigation and the cause is undetermined. Unfortunately, there was a theft case at the fire scene. The subject plead guilty and no further action from the fire department was required.

Training: There has been a big increase in on-duty and off-duty training over the last two months.
  • Paige Fitzwater has been working hard on her new member training.
  • Members attended a PIO (Public information officer) class with the goal to improve website and social media.
  • Annual testing of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) skills is being done with accountability and training for those who need it.
  • Nick Sternad enrolled in officer training on his own with Valley paying for the class.
  • Peninsula Police Department, Boston Heights Police Department, and Valley Fire members attended a landing zone class with Metro Hospital and Brecksville Fire Department.
  • Summit County Water Rescue training was held at Boston store on April 9, 10 and 11.
  • Valley Fire is hosting a fire marshal training on April 22 at station one.
  • Valley Fire assisted Peninsula Police Department with their pepper spray certification on April 15.
  • Northfield Village invited a crew of four to attend a live fire training on April 16 and 17.


Public Education/Relations:
  • Valley Fire attended the Norwood demolition celebration.
  • Valley Fire attended the Boston Heights Easter egg hunt April 11.
  • Working with Peninsula Police Association, Valley Fire Association and Boston Heights Police Department on purchasing an ID maker/Child ID system.

Please remember open burning is illegal in the State of Ohio.

Ray Hach, Valley Fire Board of Trustees