Know the Facts.....
On March 19th, 2024 voters in Pleasant Township will be asked to approve a 4.0 mill permanent levy to meet the growing needs of the Pleasant Township Fire Department and our growing community. The proposed levy, if approved, will generate $1,198,000 per year and would cost homeowners $140 per $100,000 of assessed taxable value as determined by the Franklin County Auditor
These funds will be instrumental in allowing the Pleasant Township Fire Department to continue its exceptional service to the community. The levy funds will be utilized to maintain our staffing levels, facilities, equipment, adhere to truck and equipment replacement schedules, maintain ISO class 4 rating and other operational needs.
The Pleasant Township Fire Department was established in 1976. The department covers 45 square miles of this quint suburban and rural area. Over the past year the Pleasant Township Fire Department has been tirelessly responding to emergency calls for service. In 2023 crews responded to over 1200 calls compared to the 800 calls in 2009 when the last time Pleasant Township requested for a levy. Our community is growing as calls increase and its crucial that the Fire Department has the resources to meet the increasing demands.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Chief Whiting at dwhiting@pleasanttownship.com or call 614-877-4375 for information
Common Levy Questions
If approved, when will the levy take effect?
If approved, the levy will start in the tax year 2025
When was the last levy approved?
Voters last approved a 1.5 and 1 mill replacement in 2009
How much will the levy increase my taxes?
The levy will increase taxes by $140 per $100,000 of the assessed taxable property value
What does the Assessed value mean?
The assessed value is 35% of the market value of your residence
Where can I find out how much my taxes will be with the levy (Increase)?
Franklin County Auditor - Owner Search
Search by address or owner
Select Property
Go to taxable value
This is the value that you will be taxed on
The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) governs the Pleasant Township Fire Department in requirements to function as a fire department and emergency medical services (EMS) agency. In addition, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) writes and sets the standards for all fire departments nationwide.
How has the township been able to sustain current services for 15 years?
The fire department has been very proactive and diligent in applying for and successful in receiving federal, local, and states grants to purchase required equipment (as required by NFPA) and CARES ACT money to use for salaries and EMS equipment during the COVID crisis.
The department purchased the following list of equipment saving the township over $
Exhaust hoses Radios
Self Contained Breathing Aparatus (SCBA) Grassfighter 231
Turnout Gear (pants, coat, hood, helmet, boots) Hose, Nozzles and Appliances
How much money will the levy generate for the Fire Department?
The levy is estimated to generate approximately $1,198,000 per year.
How long is the levy expected to last before the voters will be asked for another levy?
This levy is projected to last as least five years if approved.
What will happen if the Fire Levy is no approved on March 19th 2024?
Voters will be asked to approve a levy in the 2024 General Election in November. All non-essential services such as CPR training, smoke alarm installations, and prevention outreach in the schools may be reduced or eliminated. Staffing levels may be reduced below the recommended nationals response standard, potentially changing the response model to an either-or situation. (The medic and engine would be cross-staffed with the ability to get only one piece of apparatus out).
Current Staffing
Fire Chief - 40hrs
12 Career Firefighter/Paramedics - 4 assigned to each shift
Roster of part-time Firefighters - fill shifts to meet minimum staffing level of 5 per shift
Firefighters work 24 hours on and 48 hours off for a total of 3 shifts (unit). Each unit is assigned 1 Lieutenant, 3 career Firefighters and utilize 1 part-time firefighter to meet the minimum staffing requirement of 5 total.
Daily staffing currently provides 1 Engine, 1 transport Medic, and cross-staffing for 1Tanker, 1 Boat, 1 Grassfighter, and 1 Agriculture Grain bin rescue trailer. In addition, with the Big and Little Darby scenic Rivers in our community, we are taxed with several water rescues each year. PTFD is one of the only fire departments in the area that maintains a farm rescue response trailer; we have over 40 grain storage facilities in our community alone.
Calls for Service
2009 = 800
2023 = 1200 (50% increase)
Training and Preparedness
State training requirement hours for paramedics and firefighters have significantly increase since 2009
PTFD personnel have extensive training. Full-time personnel must:
Certified Paramedics (by completion of probation) Rescue Technician (6 disciplines)
Fire Safety Inspectors Hazmat Operation and Technician Levels
In addition, PTFD has certified Fire, CPR, and Paramedic Instructors, an Officer training program, and an advanced training program for the part-time staff. Our firefighter/paramedics take advantage of free local training provided by local and national speakers and have attended state and national conferences.
Fiscal Responsibility
Pleasant Township takes pride in fiscal responsibility, and history proves that. This levy requests is the first in
14years. Our last levy was a renewal in 2010 for levies from 1984 and 1975. Before the renewal, we had levies in 1977, 1981, 1986, and 1991. The township has demonstrated a strong commitment to managing resources efficiently and ensuring that taxpayer funds are used judiciously. The levy request on the March 19th, 2024 ballot aligns with this tradition, ensuring the community remains fiscally responsible while securing necessary resources for public safety.
Recognizing the need for additional resources, the Pleasant Township Fire Department has actively pursued and secured grants as the local, state, and federal levels. These grants have been instrumental in extending the budget and enhancing the departments capabilities. However, the fire levy is essential to complement these efforts to provide sustained funding for ongoing programs and staffing needs.
The department, over the years, has sought and received over 1 million dollars and continues to seek various grants to reduce township expenditures. (We have received grants for the following and are using 10yr old data to compare).
2014 2024
Grassfighter Unit $145,000
Medic Unit $75,000 - $125,000 $240,000 - $350,000
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) per set $800 - $1,200 $4,300 - $5,300
Radios $ 1,500 $8,000
Rescue Equipment (Spreaders/Cutters) $68,000
Other Grants received have been Apparatus Exhaust installation to reduce cancer, Health and Wellness to include physicals, strength and nutrition and mental health assessments
As healthcare cost have increased, so have the EMS supplies and drugs that we use to provide emergency care
Fuel has increased drastically as Diesel per gal in Dec 2009 was $1.16 whereas todays average is $4.14
(Information provided by united states department of agriculture)
Department Services and Outreach
Primary Fire Suppression and Emergency Medical Services
Technical Rescue Capabilities
Fire Safety Inspections & Fire Investigations
Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS)
CPR, AED, and First Aid Training
Home Fire Inspections for Foster Care Situations
Fire Extinguisher Training for Business and Schools
Fire Station Tours
Fire Safety Presentations for Schools
Fire and EMS coverage at community events
Firefighter 4 Kids
PEER Support Program