Aug. 30--DELAWARE, Ohio -- The city of Delaware promoted nine firefighters to lieutenant this week, positions added since residents passed a permanent income tax in 2010 to pay for firefighters and firefighting equipment.
Delaware also is preparing to open a new fire station on W. Central Avenue next month, with plans to open another on Cheshire Road in the coming years.
Delaware County has been gaining population for the past few decades, which increases the calls for help to firefighters across the county. But the funding hasn't always been stable, and some townships have had to lay off firefighters because of failed property-tax levies.
The city of Delaware, though, is lucky: The cost to pay for the new firefighters, fire stations and equipment is covered by a permanent 0.3 percent income tax that generates about $2.5 million a year for the fire department.
"How we are funded is different from how they are funded," said Delaware Fire Chief John Donahue. "And that makes us very fortunate."
He points to Liberty Township, just south of the city of Delaware, as an example.
Liberty Township funds its fire department through property-tax levies. Last year, the fire levy failed, and the township had to scramble to figure out how to cover its bills. The township laid off 10 part-time and four full-time firefighters. Residents there passed an emergency levy for fire services earlier this year, but the money won't be available until January.
Donahue said the Delaware tax, which is permanent, is tied to growth: The more businesses that open in Delaware, the more people who are employed, the more revenue the fire department will get.
More businesses also mean more calls for help, he said. The tax is designed to pay for those additional calls.
"It should offset our costs," he said.
Calls to the Delaware Fire Department have increased about 12 percent since 2010, from 4,470 in 2010 to almost 5,000 in 2012. The department now employs 54 people, up nine from 2010.
The fire department's promotions this week mark the first time the Delaware Fire Department has had firefighters with the rank of lieutenant, said Lee Yoakum, a spokesman for the city. Each lieutenant is getting a marginal pay increase -- less than $400 per year per lieutenant, Yoakum said.
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