Part-Time Firefighter Applications
We are accepting applications for Part-Time Firefighters/EMT. This includes AEMT and Paramedic. Applications will be accepted year-round. Additional information and the application can be found below or picked up in person at Station 491, 200 West Gambier Street Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050.
Part-Time Firefighter/Paramedic Application
Fire Department Overview
The Mount Vernon Fire Department was established in 1849. The first paid firefighters were appointed in 1891. Initially, there were three fire stations located at the intersection of Mansfield Avenue and Curtis Street, on West Vine Street between Mechanic Street and West Street, and on North Gay Street between the Methodist and Episcopal churches. In 1914, the City closed two of the stations and concentrated its equipment and workforce to the Gay Street location. The fire department was moved to the Northeast corner of Public Square in 1918 so that better access to the entire city could be obtained.
In the late 1950’s it became apparent that the facility on Public Square was no longer sufficient to house the fire department. Plans were implemented to build a new station. In 1965, the fire department was relocated to 207 West Ohio Avenue into a building that was once a boat sales agency. The building was heavily damaged in the flood of 1959, but updates were made and the facility was repaired so that it could house the apparatus and manpower.
With the railroad traffic that was prevalent at the time, a second fire station was needed in the South end of the City. The Elmwood fire station was built on Ames Street in 1967. The fire department operated out of these two buildings until 2000 when the new facility located at 200 West Gambier Street was completed and able to be utilized.
Today, the Mount Vernon Fire Department employs 40 people housed at the West Gambier Street location. The department offers fire suppression, emergency medical care, fire prevention, and public information services to the citizens of Mount Vernon.
From the Chief’s Desk
The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was the busiest year on record for the Mount Vernon Fire Department. The MVFD responded to a total of 5,910 emergency incidents. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) accounted for 88% or 5,200 while Fire accounted for 18% or 710 of the total emergency incidents. EMS billing plays a role in supporting the City’s general fund. Of the 5,200 EMS incidents, 3,580 were billable transports that generated $943,499.00.
MVFD coverage area in 2021 grew to over 80 sq miles providing life saving Fire and EMS coverage to not only the City of Mount Vernon but also Liberty Township, Clinton Township, Pleasant Township, ½ of Morris Township and College Township. MVFD also contracts with the Mount Vernon Developmental Center (MVDC) and the Knox County Airport to provide emergency services.
On June 9, 2021, after years of on and off negotiations with College Township, MVFD absorbed College Township and took over responsibility of all Fire and EMS services. This was a big project to take on and MVFD would like to thank the City Administration and those on the City Council that supported the merger. Within College Township you also have the Village of Gambier and Kenyon College. With the takeover, MVFD expanded to operating out of two fire stations with the second station (Station 492) located at 102 E Brooklyn Street in Gambier. Three personnel were promoted to Lieutenant to oversee the day-to-day operations at Station 492. Daily staffing at Station 492 consist of one Lieutenant, one full-time firefighter/medic and one part-time firefighter/emt or medic. Emergency response vehicles housed at Station 492 consist of one engine/rescue, two medics (one is a back-up) and one grass truck.
With the addition of College Township, MVFD implemented its first ever part-time (PT) firefighter workforce. Currently we have 17 PT firefighters that either work an every sixth day shift or fill in when open shift spots are available and fit their schedules. MVFD is very fortunate to have outstanding men and women join our family providing outstanding emergency services to our communities. Training the new workforce was a large focus. Our full-time employees deserve all the credit for training our PT workforce while still responding to emergency calls and also completing their ongoing daily training requirements. MVFD looks forward to developing our PT workforce in 2022.
The future is bright for Mount Vernon Fire. The Mount Vernon Fire Department looks forward to the challenges that 2022 will bring.
Chief Chad Christopher
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Main Fire Station (Station 491)
Mount Vernon Fire Department
200 West Gambier Street
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
740-393-9515
mvfd@mountvernonohio.orgChief Christopher
