About Us
SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP FIRE
Sylvania Township
Sylvania Township
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Fire Chief Michael Ramm
In March of 1981 Chief Ramm was appointed to the department as a volunteer fireman. Chief Ramm was hired full time in 1995. In 2000 he was promoted to Lieutenant. Then in March of 2013 promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations. On March 17, 2017, Chief Ramm became the Chief of the Department. Chief Ramm has an associate’s degree from Owens in Fire Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University graduating from both with honors. Chief Ramm also has his Executive Fire Officers training completed through the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association. Chief Ramm likes to pride himself on his ability to lead by example. Chief Ramm will be working with both The Operations division and The Risk Reduction division of the Fire Department. Chief Ramm reports directly to Oliver Turner the Township Administrator. Chief Ramm has also spent many years teaching in the EMS field at all levels including Paramedic entry and continuing education currently working for Lucas County Ems as a CE instructor. Chief Ramm has also been a Flight Medic working for Mercy St. V’s at several of their flight locations along with the Mobile Life units. Chief Ramm is married with three children, wife Mary Ann married for 31 years, sons Jason (30) and Cody (29), and a daughter Courtney (21) still at home and currently enrolled at The University of Toledo in Nursing. The Ramm’s are also now expecting their first grandchild in May of 2020. Grayson Michael Ramm was born on May 23, 2020. Chief Ramm is a second generation Chief in Sylvania, following his dad Burt. Chief Ramm’s main goal is to make the community of Sylvania a safe and enjoyable place to live, visit and raise a family.
Assistant Chief Chris Nye
In September of 1989 Assistant Chief Nye was appointed to the department as a volunteer firefighter stationed at #1 on Monroe St. A graduate of the University of Toledo Paramedic Training Program in 1992, Assistant Chief Nye was hired full time in April of 1994 and assigned to station #1 as a firefighter/paramedic for the first 4 years of his career and spent the next 6 years at station #3 on Monroe @ Whiteford. In August of 2004, he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to station #3. He also spent 2 years assigned to station #2 on Central Ave. and the last 10 years prior to his promotion to Deputy Chief at station #1. In April of 2017, he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations and stationed at station #4 on Sylvania Ave. Prior to his promotion to Deputy Chief, he also served as President of Sylvania Firefighters IAFF Local 2243 for 16 years. Assistant Chief Nye likes to pride himself on his ability to lead by example. Assistant Chief Nye is in charge of the daily operations of the Fire Department. Assistant Chief Nye reports directly to Chief Ramm.
Assistant Chief Nye is married to his wife Barbara for 33 years with three children, Daughters Brooke a graduate of The Ohio State University is the Executive Store Manager for Macy’s at the Polaris Mall in Columbus, Ohio, Chelsea a graduate of Bowling Green State University and is a 6th & 7th-grade math teacher at Arbor Hills Junior High in Sylvania and a son Nicholas who is a graduate of The University of Cincinnati in Criminal Justice and plans to follow in his Grandfathers footsteps as a law enforcement officer. Assistant Chief Nye continues a family history of public service; his father Richard retired as a 25 year Toledo Police Officer and his mother retired after 52 years as a Registered Nurse.
Assistant Chief Nye’s goal is to make the Sylvania community a desirable, safe, and enjoyable place to live, visit, and raise a family.
Battalion Chief Mike Szafarowicz
In August of 1993 Battalion Chief Szafarowicz was appointed to the department as a volunteer firefighter stationed at #1 on Monroe St. Battalion Chief Szafarowicz graduated from the Medical College of Ohio Paramedic Training program in 1995. He then was hired as a full-time firefighter/paramedic in February of 1998. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in September of 2008 where he was assigned to Station #3. In March of 2020, he was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief and assigned to the “C” platoon working out of station #2. During his career, he also obtained a college degree in Fire Science, and has obtained certifications in Ice Rescue, Haz-Mat Awareness, Emergency Fire Dispatch, Weapons of Mass Destruction Responder, Fire Instructor, Fire Safety Officer, Fire Inspector, as well as others. Prior to his new role, he has served in many roles for the department such as a Steward and Vice President of Sylvania Firefighters IAFF Local 2243. Battalion Chief Szafarowicz is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the “C” platoon which include scheduling of the on-duty crews, Battalion Chief scheduling, overseeing the daily training, documentation quality control, and assuming command of incidents throughout the 24hour shift.
Battalion Chief Szafarowicz is married to his wife Joan since August of 1999. They have lived in Sylvania since his appointment to the department.
Chief Szafarowicz’s goal is quite simply to keep Sylvania safe.
Battalion Chief Steve Kahan
Appointed on 5/4/1999 to C shift at #2’s
Promoted on 7/10/2004 to Lieutenant and assigned to A shift at #4’s then assigned to B shift at #1’s
Promoted on 2/5/2020 to Battalion Chief and assigned to A shift
Served on the Health Care Committee since its inception, part of Labors negotiating team for 12 years and was the chief negotiator for the current contract.
I Pride myself on being fair and honest and leading by example. I also believe that respect is earned.
My job is to be in charge of daily operations on A-shifts and to ensure that emergencies are mitigated and that ALL crews go home to their families when their tour is done.
Married to my wife Christine for 23 years with 3 awesome children. Cody who is a graduate of the University of Dayton and is an engineer for Emerson in Sydney, Ohio, my son RJ who is a freshman at the University of Dayton and is an Honors Pre-Med student and my beautiful daughter Emily who is a junior at Northview High School and has aspirations of playing college softball and studying sports science. We also have 2 dogs, an Akita named Tonka and a Saint Bernard puppy named Winston.
I enjoy spending time with my family, coaching baseball and softball, working out and traveling.
Sylvania is home and I want to help in making it a safe place to live and raise a family.
Battalion Chief Chad Morris
In August of 2000 Battalion Chief Chad Morris was appointed to the department as a full-time firefighter paramedic. Battalion Chief Chad Morris was a graduate of the University of Toledo’s Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine degree program. Battalion Chief Morris was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2010 and was assigned to Station #3 on Monroe at Whiteford where he served for the next 9 years. During his time as Lieutenant, he completely rebuilt the community outreach program which includes the creation of the Annual Safety Fair. This program, in conjunction with local schools, has been able to reach into the homes of thousands of families in the Sylvania area and provide important fire safety education. The Safety Fair has not only provided enjoyment for thousands in the community over the years but improved our community’s safety. In 2019 he was awarded the Outstanding Community Service Award from Owens Community College for his work. In March of 2020, he was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief and was assigned to B platoon where he directs the daily activities of his platoon. Battalion Chief Chad Morris has an affinity for training and pushes everyone to better every day. He truly believes that if you are not training someone to take your job, you aren’t doing your job. His top priority is to send his employees home safe to their family, each and every day, and the best way to do that is to be well trained.
Battalion Chief Morris has a special place in his heart for children with special needs as he has a son with autism. His son’s name is Gage and he is 8 years old. He has a wonderful assistance dog, a golden retriever named Maddox. He also has a firecracker of a little girl named Rory who is 2 years old. She keeps him moving every moment of the day. His brother Chris Morris is also Co-Owner of one of Sylvania’s finest establishments Inside the Five.
Captain Jeffrey Bennett
Captain Jeffrey Bennett was appointed to the department as a Firefighter/Paramedic in May of 2000. He came to the department with 10 years of experience in the private EMS and Mobile Intensive Care settings. Upon being appointed he spent most of his service as a firefighter/ Paramedic on B-shift at station #2 (Central Ave) and station #1 in the City (Monroe St. at Main.). In September of 2008, Jeff was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He then moved to A-shift where he served as the station officer at station #3 (at Whiteford and Monroe) and then station #1 (Monroe St. at Main). As a Lieutenant Jeff acted as a liaison for local high schools and colleges, by providing student internships and clinical ride time with the department. He also created the character “Moe the Fire Clown” that he used to teach fire safety education to kids at various events including Safety Town, Safety City, the Annual L2243 Pancake Breakfast, and the department’s annual Fire Safety Fair. Jeff was moved to Interim Captain in late June of 2020 until he was officially promoted to the rank of Captain in January of 2021.
During his career, Jeff has obtained certifications in Haz-Mat Awareness, Fire Instructor, Fire Safety Officer, Fire Inspector, Clinical EMS Instructor, as well as others. Prior to his current role, Jeff has served in many roles for the department including Vice President of Sylvania Firefighters IAFF Local 2243. Captain Bennett serves in the established command structure of the department and is also responsible for the training and safety programs for the department’s crews.
Captain Bennett is married to his wife, and high school sweetheart, Audra. They will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary this year. Jeff and Audra have two sons, Austin and Chase.
Jeff strives to provide quality service and protection to the Sylvania community and is honored to serve such a great community.
Fire Marshal Shane Hillard
On May 17, 2000 Fire Marshal Hillard was appointed to the fire department as a firefighter / paramedic. He proudly served at all 4 stations spending most of his time at stations 1 and 4. In 2004 he became a certified fire safety inspector and began assisting the department with completing building inspection.
In April of 2017 Fire Marshal Hillard became the departments full time fire safety inspector. At that time, he began assisting retired Deputy Chief Mike Froelich with all aspects of the departments Community Risk Reduction Bureau.
In March of 2020 Fire Marshal Hillard became what is believed to be the departments first Fire Marshal. Fire Marshal Hillard will oversee the departments Community Risk Reduction Bureau including fire prevention and fire investigations.
Fire Marshal Hillard is a State of Ohio Certified Fire Safety Inspector, State of Ohio Fire Instructor, State of Ohio Firefighter II, NREMT-P, and hold certificates for Fire Officer 1, Fire Officer 2, and Fire Officer 3. He also completed both the Basic and Advance Fire Investigation classes at Bowling Green State Fire School.
Fire Marshal Hillard has been married to his wife Mariann for 19 years. Together they have four children, Lainey (18) a graduate of Whiteford Agricultural High School who will be attending the University of Toledo majoring in early childhood education, Levi (16), Ava (15) and Brody (12) all still in school at Whiteford Agricultural.
