Nationwide there have been staffing shortages for first responders, forcing some stations in the Mahoning Valley to close down. But the Western Reserve Fire District in Poland is the complete opposite. 

After 100 years of service The Western Reserve Fire District is growing to better serve Poland Village and Township. 

After a fire levy in the November 2022 election, the district can now move its 55 volunteers into full or part time staff positions. They will also be adding their own EMT service. 

“There's more people living here in Poland and the need is for it. You don't have the private services around like you used to,” Bill O’hara, Western Reserve Fire District, Fire Prevention Officer said. 

The fire district is also evolving with new technology. To make responses easier for firefighters they are asking people living in Poland and the surrounding areas to download a new app called “My Local Safety.”

“It allows them to go in and give us specific information about their household. So maybe you want to tell us that there's three kids. God forbid a fire comes in and we know we need to look for three kids or you have a propane tank in the basement and we need to know to be aware of that,” Cheri Metzinger, Western reserve Fire District Administrative Assistant & EMT said. 

The app also has sections to fill out medical information. People can fill in as much or as little information as possible. 

If the first responders have that information - it eliminates the guessing game when walking into a call. 

“You don't know whose home you don’t know what you're walking into in that house. So this is a really cool app that's really going to help us serve our residents better,” Metzinger said. 

The Western Reserve Fire District is accepting applications for firefighter and EMTs as they continue to grow.