City of Lakewood, Ohio - Division of Fire

Lakewood Division of Fire
Lawrence Mroz Fire Chief Station 1: 14601 Madison Avenue Station 2: 18124 Detroit Avenue Station 3: 12567 Clifton Boulevard Lakewood, Ohio 44107 (216) 529-6656 Email Lakewood Fire Department

Mission Statement
“To protect and safeguard life and property from fire or hazardous conditions: to provide emergency medical treatment to those in need.”

The mission statement of the City of Lakewood, Division of Fire is accomplished under the leadership of Chief Lawrence E. Mroz, through a fire and medical rescue delivery system consisting of fire prevention, fire safety education, fire and medical rescue operations and hazard abatement. There are 94 members of the Division of Fire, organized as the staff or support function and the line or operations function.

*The staff function is comprised of Fire Administration, the Fire Prevention Bureau, and the Mechanics Division.*
•	The Fire Administration handles the business end of the division, ensuring that firefighters and paramedics are properly equipped to provide outstanding service. It oversees the daily operating procedures and acts as liaison for the public.
•	The Fire Marshal and Fire Inspector make up the Fire Prevention Bureau, which is responsible for fire investigations. They also conduct all high-hazard target inspections - schools, day care centers, high-rise buildings and industrial operations - and re-inspect all commercial properties cited through the fire company inspection program. Fire safety education programs are provided by the Bureau annually to Lakewood students - in the spring, during Severe Weather Safety Week, in the summer through the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children safety house tour, and in the fall during Fire Prevention Week.
•	The Mechanics Division is responsible for the preventative maintenance and repair of the emergency vehicle fleet, the three fire stations, and the municipal fire alarm system which includes the pull boxes located on streets and in high hazard locations such as nursing homes, schools, etc.

The line function involves four frontline fire companies and three medical rescue squads.
•	Station #1, located at 14601 Madison Avenue (at Warren), houses the Hook & Ladder, a basic life support Engine, an advanced life support ambulance Squad, and an Assistant Chief's vehicle available for immediate emergency response.
•	The primary responsibilities are fire/rescue and medical response operations. However, firefighters also respond to hazardous conditions such as gas leaks, downed power lines, and chemical emergencies. Engine Companies perform commercial building inspections, building pre-plans, and in the spring, annual hydrant testing and maintenance.
•	Station #2, located at 18124 Detroit Avenue (at Kenilworth), and Station #3, located at 12567 Clifton Boulevard (east of Nicholson) each house an Engine and an advanced life support ambulance Squad.
•	All Division of Fire personnel are trained in the use of automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs) and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In addition, all Paramedics are advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS) certified. They are required to remain knowledgeable of current medical issues, and skilled in the use of modern medical equipment. The medical staff consists of 32 paramedics and 11 emergency medical technicians.
•	EMS personnel conduct Community Education training programs throughout the year, including CPR classes for lifeguards and coaches, and AED training for staff at defibrillator sites. There are currently 22 AEDs strategically located throughout Lakewood, at sites where significant numbers of people congregate and are at highest risk for cardiac arrest, such as athletic facilities and senior centers.

Did you know that a Fire Museum was established in 1994? It is located at Station #1, displaying over 100 items, including tools from the past and present, used by most fire departments. We welcome group tours of the museum and any of the three fire houses.

For an informative article about the history of the Lakewood Fire Department, read "One horse-drawn wagon was city's first fire unit" by Dan Chabek. This article appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post May 11, 1989.

The wide range of duties performed by Division of Fire personnel and the training required to perform these duties may not be well-known. Our service to the community involves responses to motor vehicle accidents, home lock-ins and lock-outs, public assistance requests, carbon monoxide investigations, water and cliff rescues, hazard investigations, and false alarms. We also participate in the West Shore Hazardous Materials Response Team, providing support to, and ensuring support from, our neighboring communities of Rocky River, Westlake, Bay Village, Fairview Park and North Olmsted, should an environmental emergency arise.

While serving a population of approximately 57,000, within 5.5 square miles, we responded to 147 fires, 5,112 emergency medical calls, and various other alarms in 2006. We take great pride in delivering high-quality services to the community, and hope our dedication is evident each time we come in close contact with residents and visitors alike, during fire and medical emergencies in homes or on the streets of Lakewood.

Please refer to the following resources for your specific need:
EMERGENCIES	9-1-1
Carbon Monoxide Concerns	216-521-1234
Chief Lawrence E. Mroz	216-529-6658
Fire Prevention Bureau	216-529-6660
Firefighter Memorial Donations	216-529-6656
Fire Station or Museum Tours	216-529-6656
Ambulance Billing Questions	866-431-7960
Copies of Fire/EMS Reports	216-529-6656
AED/CPR Certification	216-227-2481
Community Emergency Response Team	216-529-6657

Check your smoke detector monthly,
have a fire escape plan, and practice it.

Prevent Cooking Fires:
Watch What You Heat!