The Ottoville Fire Department was formed by an act of the Village Council in 1892, to provide fire protection to Ottoville and the surrounding area. Various men of the Village using the bucket brigade formed the Fire Department at this time. In November of 1892, the Village of Ottoville bought an 1871-hand pumper from the Village of Van Wert for $330.00 that included 250 feet of hose and a hose cart. In 1909 the Village bought a single cylinder pumper that could pump 350 gallons of water per minute. These two fire engines were both horse drawn.
The fire department was reorganized a second time on June 3, 1902. John Lauer was elected Chief, with Alex Wannemacher as Secretary, and Alex Miller Sr. as Treasurer. In 1947 a governing board was put together to form the Ottoville Community Fire Company. Composed of representatives from the Villages of Ottoville, Cloverdale, and Dupont, as well as the Townships of Monterey, Jackson, and Perry in Putnam County, Jackson Township in Van Wert County, and a portion of Washington Township in Paulding County. This board of representatives continues to govern the Ottoville Volunteer Fire Department and provides the financial budget for operating expenses.
Today’s equipment includes a 1982 Chevy Mini-Pumper with 200 gallons of water, and a 250-gallon per minute pump, this truck is identified as “Brush 117”. A 1978 Chevy Step-Van carries men and equipment such as hand tools, and the department’s two thermal-imaging cameras, “Service 116” also has an air-cascade system for refilling SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) bottles for firefighters on scene. A 1987 Emergency-One Pumper, “Engine 111” carries 1,000 gallons of water, and a 1,250-gallon per minute pump. “Tanker 114” is a 2008 Vacuum Tanker carrying 3,000 gallons of water and a 500 gallon per minute pump. “Engine 112” has a custom 5-man cab, top mounted 1,500 gallon per minute pump, pre-plumbed Class A and B foam tanks, and a 2,500 gallon water capacity. This Engine is used on all fire runs, and runs for mutual aid with other departments and can be used at the scene as a Class 1 Engine Company or can be placed in service as a tanker for water supply in rural areas. Three electric-air operated “quick-dumps” pour out the 2,500-gallon load in just about 1 minute, making this piece of apparatus a “super-truck”
Today’s officers included: Gary Wurst, Chief; Chad Landin, Assistant Chief; Noah Helms, Captain / Treasurer; and Dan Horstman, Captain / Secretary. With 31 active firefighters serving on the department, several are cross-trained as Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics, and with all sorts of walk of life backgrounds and experience, the Ottoville Volunteer Fire Department stands at the ready to protect and serve the residents in it’s 56 square mile first alarm response area, and those neighboring to us with mutual aid.
