Fire Department
The Fairport Harbor Fire Department is a combination department consisting of three career members and 13 part time members. The department is staffed daily with two members from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with three members. There is a minimum of one paramedic on duty.
FHFD equipment is a 2015 HME Engine, a 2003 E-One Engine, a 2016 Lifeline ambulance, a 2003 Marque ambulance, a 2017 Sea Doo jet ski, a 2021 Dodge Ram, a 2021 Durango – Command Vehicle and a water rescue trailer with a 16 foot inflatable and 14 foot Jon boat.
Fairport Harbor FD was organized in September of 1891 with 30 members; they were alerted to fires by the bell that still sits in front of the fire station/Village hall today.
FHFD receives and gives mutual and automatic aid throughout Lake County. In the event of a structure fire in Fairport Harbor the following communities provide automatic aid. Concord Township with an engine, Painesville Township with a ladder truck, Painesville City with an engine, Perry Joint Fire District with an engine and Grand River with a paramedic squad, also off duty FHFD members are alerted. This provides the Village with an initial response of 15-16 firefighters keeping us in accordance with National Fire Protection Association guidelines
In March of 2019 the Insurance Services Organization rated the Fairport Harbor Fire Department a Public Protection Classification rating of “3”. ISO rates Departments on a scale of 1-10 a class 1 signifying exemplary fire protection and 10 indicates the areas fire suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria.
ISO Public Protection Classification System evaluates communities to a uniform set of criteria; a community’s PPC grade depends on Needed fire flows, Emergency Communications, Fire Department and Water Supply.
There are only 3,490 Fire Departments nationwide with a Class 3 and in Ohio around 217.
The Fire Department provides Fire, EMS, Prevention, Water Rescue and Public Education.
The Department consists of a part time Fire Chief, a career Captain, two career Firefighters and the balance is part time firefighters.
The career members are associated with the International Association of Firefighters Local 3644.
The Firefighters have a collection drive for aluminum cans and in turn use the proceeds to provide smoke detectors and residential lock boxes to Village residents at no cost.
History:
The Fairport Fire Department was founded in September 1891 after several devastating fires. Over the next two years, the department purchased 1,000 feet of fire hose, two nozzles, 12 waterproof coats and hats, a ladder, six lanterns, badges and other necessary equipment. Thomas Irwin was appointed the first fire chief on Sept. 29, 1891.A team of horses and a hose cart were soon purchased. The first mechanized fire truck, a Ford Chemical Truck, was purchased in March 1917 and a year later the team of horses was sold. A second fire engine was purchased Dec. 18, 1923. A fire bell, cast in 1893, sat atop the fire station and was used as a fire alarm. This bell is now encased in a brick structure in front of the current fire station at 220 Third St.