Heath Firefighters IAFF Local 2930

10/20/2026

Last night, Heath City Council voted unanimously, 7–0, to accept the SAFER grant. This is an important step toward strengthening fire and EMS response capability for our community.

Heath Fire Fighters Local 2930 thanks all seven council members for supporting this investment in public safety. We also thank Chief Warren McCord for his work securing this opportunity and everyone who has taken the time to listen, ask questions, and support our firefighters.

Accepting the grant is an important milestone. The work ahead includes putting these resources into service and planning to sustain the additional positions beyond the grant’s three-year funding period.

Our advocacy has always centered on having the personnel available to respond when our community needs us. We welcome this decision and look forward to working together as it moves forward.

The men and women of Heath Fire Fighters Local 2930 are dedicated to serving this community, and that commitment has never changed.

Why Every Firefighter Counts.

10/16/2026

Public Safety Is a Community Conversation

The Heath Safety and Finance Committees will meet Monday, October 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Heath City Hall, 1287 Hebron Road.

Recent discussions have brought increased attention to Fire Department staffing, apparatus availability and the resources needed to maintain reliable emergency coverage.

Residents deserve the opportunity to stay informed, hear these discussions firsthand and speak with their elected representatives about the public safety priorities affecting our community.

Community involvement matters. We encourage residents with questions or concerns about emergency services in Heath to attend, participate in the conversation and ask questions.

Meeting information:

Pay /View Utility Bill OnlineSign Up for Utility Paperless Billing/AutopayUtilities Direct Billing AgreementWater Quality ReportContact UsGet Emergency NotificationsBuilding & Zoning FormsEmploymentTransparency in Coverage ActPolice Accident Reports

10/14/2026

Congratulations to Chief McCord and everyone involved in securing this SAFER award for Heath. It creates an opportunity to hire six additional firefighters, and Local 2930 supports accepting it.

One clarification about the graphic: the $1.84 million shown is the total three-year project budget, including the City’s share. The federal award is approximately $1.14 million.

This is an important opportunity to strengthen daily staffing for the firefighters and community we serve.

Nationwide First Responder Grants

MORE FIREFIGHTERS. STRONGER RESPONSE. SAFER COMMUNITIES.

We have BIG news to celebrate right here in Licking County, Ohio!

The Heath Fire Department has been awarded $1,840,759.56 through the SAFER Grant program to support the addition of SIX NEW FIREFIGHTER POSITIONS!

So, what does this mean for the community?

👨‍🚒 Increased Staffing: Six new positions will help strengthen the department’s staffing capacity.

🚒 Enhanced Emergency Response: Additional personnel can help the department meet the demands of emergency calls and support operational readiness.

🛡️ Community Protection: Investing in firefighters means investing in the people who respond when our community needs them most.

💰 Award Amount: $1,840,759.56
🔥 Grant Program: Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
👨‍🚒 Positions Funded: 6 new firefighter positions

Please join Nationwide First Responder Grants in congratulating Fire Chief Warren McCord and the entire Heath Fire Department on this outstanding achievement!

SAFER funding helps fire departments recruit and retain the personnel needed to provide effective fire protection and emergency response. This award is an investment not only in the department, but in the safety and future of the Heath community.

10/10/2026

Today’s the day! Come out and see us!

🚒🔥 YOU’RE INVITED! 🔥🚒

The Heath Fire Department is excited to invite our community to our Open House!

📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026
⏰ Starting at 1:00 PM

Come spend the afternoon with us and get to know the firefighters who are here to serve and protect our community!

👨‍🚒 Tour the fire station & apparatus
🚒 Meet your local firefighters
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for the whole family
🍔 Food & refreshments
🔥 And plenty of opportunities to learn more about your fire department!

Whether you’ve been part of our community for years or are new to Heath, we’d love to see you!

10/09/2026

Calling hours and funeral arrangements for Captain Shaun Glancy:
Calling Hours- Monday October 12th from 2-6pm
Funeral- Tuesday October 13th at 1pm
Both are at the Utica Church of Christ, 115 N Central Ave, Utica OH 43080.

10/07/2026

Our thoughts are with our brothers and sisters at L109.

10/02/2026

WHEN EVERY FIREFIGHTER COUNTS: A CHANCE TO HIRE SIX MORE

Heath has been awarded a federal grant to help hire six additional firefighters. This is a significant opportunity for both the community and the fire department.

More firefighters would give Heath additional personnel to cover its two stations, respond when emergencies overlap, and support the crews serving the city today.

Here is how the funding works: FEMA approved up to $1,135,135 toward the six positions over three years. Federal funding covers up to 75% of approved position costs in each of the first two years and 35% in the third, subject to grant limits. Heath’s estimated share over those three years is $705,625. The grant helps pay for hiring; it does not permanently fund the positions.

The award does not put six firefighters on the schedule today. The City must accept the grant and carry out the hiring plan before residents see the benefit.

Local 2930 supports accepting this award and adding six firefighters. It is an opportunity to strengthen daily coverage, support the members already serving Heath, and plan for the community’s growing needs.

We’re sharing pages 1–4 of the award package so residents can see the award, the funding, and the six approved positions for themselves.

The next Safety and Finance Committees meeting is October 19 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Residents can attend, ask questions about the grant, and learn what comes next for fire department staffing.

https://www.heathohio.gov/community-calendar/safety-and-finance-committees-be282

09/28/2026

Over the past several weeks, we’ve shared information about staffing, fire truck availability, and the Fire Chief’s new safety directive. Those posts have raised good questions.

What would you like to understand better about how fire and EMS coverage works in Heath?

Ask in the comments. We’ll answer what we can verify. Residents can also bring their questions to the next Safety and Finance Committees meeting on October 19.

https://www.heathohio.gov/community-calendar/safety-and-finance-committees-be282

09/22/2026

When Every Firefighter Counts: The Standard Is Clear. The Staffing Challenge Remains.

At the September 21st Safety and Finance Committees meeting, members of Heath Firefighters IAFF Local 2930 attended as Fire Chief Warren McCord presented Departmental Operational Directive 201.4. Local 2930 separately presented its Statement of Support.

Effective August 24th, the directive requires at least three qualified on-duty personnel before a primary fire-suppression apparatus may be placed in service or dispatched as a primary suppression resource. If that minimum cannot be restored through approved staffing measures, the directive requires the affected apparatus to be placed out of service and Licking County Regional Dispatch to be notified.

The directive describes three-person staffing as an immediate and temporary risk-reduction measure. It specifically states that three personnel is not considered optimal or adequate staffing for all fireground operations. It also establishes the Department’s immediate objective of eliminating routine two-person deployment of primary fire apparatus.

Local 2930 supports this operational standard. Our Statement of Support explains that deployment decisions affect response capability, firefighter safety, apparatus availability, continuity of service and protection of the community. Local 2930’s position is that inadequate staffing should be addressed through sufficient personnel and resources, not by lowering the operational standard.

The directive establishes a safer minimum, but it does not add personnel or guarantee that every primary fire apparatus can remain in service. The staffing needed to meet this standard consistently remains unresolved.

These issues were presented directly to the committee and council members in attendance. Both documents are included in full so residents can read exactly what was presented.

This post is issued by Heath Firefighters IAFF Local 2930 in its capacity as the bargaining representative. It is not an official communication from the City of Heath or the Heath Fire Department.

09/18/2026

For anyone following the recent conversation about fire and EMS staffing in Heath, the City’s Safety and Finance Committees will meet Monday, September 21st, 2026, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The meeting will be held at Heath City Hall, 1287 Hebron Road.

These meetings are an opportunity to hear the discussion firsthand, ask questions and stay informed about decisions affecting public safety in our community.

Meeting information:

Pay /View Utility Bill OnlineSign Up for Utility Paperless Billing/AutopayUtilities Direct Billing AgreementWater Quality ReportContact UsGet Emergency NotificationsBuilding & Zoning FormsEmploymentTransparency in Coverage ActPolice Accident Reports