Message from the Fire Chief

Welcome Residents, Friends, and Web Browsers. It is with great pride that I present to you the Munson Fire Department Fire & Rescue web site on the Internet. Welcome to Munson Township, one of the fastest growing communities in Geauga County. Our fire department is in a constant state of change. This is in an attempt to provide the best possible service for our friends, neighbors, and families. We are glad that you have taken the time to visit our site.

Sincerely, Bernie Harchar

Mission Statement of the Munson Fire Department
"To protect life and property within the limits of Munson Township, by providing fire, emergency medical services, and public assistance. To operate a safe, well organized managed structure which shall treat all members fairly, and with the highest respect for serving the community."

Departmental Profile

Munson Township is located in North West Geauga County in an area of Ohio popularly referred to as the "Snow Belt". Munson Township covers a total area of 25 square miles and provides Fire protection and EMS services to over 7000 residents. The Fire Department in Munson Township was established in 1952 and will protect and serve the community throughout the new millenium.
The Munson Fire Department is Geauga County's first 24 hour dual role firefighter/paramedic staffed fire department. The fire department is operated by a core of 10 full-time assigned shift personnel and supplemented by part-time paid and volunteer personnel. Based out of one fire station, our fleet includes a total of 13 fire department vehicles. Our total roster size is currently 40 members.

The Munson Fire Department provides pre-hospital emergency medical services at the Paramedic level; minimizes loss from fires, hazardous materials incidents and natural disasters and other emergency services; and ensures that the community's emergency service resources are effectively and efficiently managed. The Fire Department coordinates township wide planning for large scale disasters and emergency incidents.

Staffing/Shift information

The Munson Fire Department is staffed by 6 shift personnel (1 shift officer and 3 firefighters), one fire chief, and 1 administrative secretary (office personnel staff during Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm). The department consists of a single fire station located centrally within the township near the intersection of Auburn Road and Sherman Road. The shift personnel (firefighters) are divided into three shifts, each shift working a 24 hour day.

Department apparatus consists of 2 engines, 1 ladder truck, 3 ALS rescue squads, 1 grass/wildland unit, 1 heavy rescue/air truck, 1 water/ice rescue boat, 1 fire prevention car, 1 utility pick up truck, and 2 officer response vehicles.

The Fire Department has contractual automatic aid agreements with the Chardon Fire Department, Chesterland Fire Department, and Hambden Fire Department for emergency response to their areas for working fire incidents. We also provide any additional requested aid to several surrounding counties through M.A.B.A.S. and I.M.A.B.A.S. (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System and Interdivisional Mutual Aid Box Alarm System respectively).

The Munson Fire Department is a Class 3/6 rated Fire Department as set forth by the guidelines established by the Insurance Services Office.

The Munson Fire Department a is HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant EMS entity.

Professional affiliations

The Geauga County Hazardous Materials Team

The Geauga County Dive/Recovery Team

The Geauga County Firefighter's Association

The Geauga County Fire Chief's Association

The Geauga County Fire Investigation Unit

The North East Ohio Fire Chief's Association

The North East Ohio Fire Safety Trailer

The Ohio State Firefighter's Association

The Ohio Fire Chief's Association

The International Association of Fire Chiefs

Personnel Roster

Administrative Offices:

Fire Chief Bernard Harchar

Fire Prevention Officer: Assistant Chief Mark Lynn

Training Officer:  Deputy Chief Michael Santilli

Administrative Assistant: Luara Marsic

Photographer: Robert Gahr

Suppression Division:

"A" Company

Captain Nick Meros

Firefighter Matt Hartman (Paramedic)

Firefighter Shawn Cziryak (Paranedic)

Firefighter Gary Stidham (Paramedic)

Firefighter Brian Ford (Paramedic)

Firefighter Nicholas Rovansek (EMT)

Firefighter Douglas Reidel (EMT)

Firefighter DJ Jacobucci (EMT)

Firefighter John Bitonti (EMT)

Firefighter Dale Smith (Instructor)

"B" shift

Captain Heather Harchar (Paramedic)

Firefighter Michael Bennett (Paramedic)

Firefighter Robert Mancuso (Paramedic)

Firefighter Jonathon Farley (Paramedic)

Firefighter Joseph DiCorpo (Paramedic)

Firefighter Michael Swanker (Paramedic)

Firefighter Robert Schenk (EMT)

Firefighter John Sumodi (EMT)

Firefighter Donald Kropiwnicki (EMT)

"C" Company

Captain Michail Zivcic (Paramedic)

Firefighter Giovanni DeNigris (Paramedic)

Firefighter George Glasney (Paramedic)

Firefighter Jonathon Sague (Paramedic)

Firefighter James Leagan (Paramedic)

Firefighter Michael Gibson (Paramedic)

EMT Amy Lawrence (EMT)