Defiance Fire and Rescue Division

10/25/2026

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🚒🎓 Please join the Defiance Fire and Rescue Division in congratulating Firefighters Mark Arambula, Frank O'Loughlin, and Layne Sheets on graduating from the Ohio Fire Academy as certified Firefighter I and II firefighters.

The academy is a demanding 468-hour program that tests every recruit physically and mentally. Long days, live fire training, rescue skills, and hours of classroom study all went into earning this certification. Mark, Frank, and Layne met that challenge.

Their class was the first to graduate inside the Ohio Fire Academy's new Search and Rescue Building. The ceremony included remarks from several speakers, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon.

Mark, Frank, and Layne are now Defiance firefighters, ready to serve and protect their community. If you see them around town or at the station, please give them a warm Defiance welcome.

Thank you to their families for their support, and to the Ohio Fire Academy instructors who helped prepare them. Congratulations on a job well done! 👏🚒

10/09/2026

Thanks for having us!

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

10/06/2026

Ohio HWC is directed by Hopewell Health Centers and supported by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, OhioHWC collaborates with communities across the state to implement the program with fidelity.
Please visit https://handlewithcareoh.org for more information.

The City of Defiance Police Department has so far collaborated with Defiance City Schools, Good Samaritan School, and Holy Cross Catholic School to implement the Handle with Care program. The program helps school staff offer students who experience an adverse childhood experience (ACE) outside of school, grace at school when needed all while keeping the privacy and dignity of the child upheld. We look forward to serving our students in this way.
Handle With Care Ohio

10/06/2026

Why we teach closing doors when you doze!

10/05/2026

As we kick off Fire Prevention Week, what better way to promote fire safety education than with a community-wide Smoke Alarm Installation Blitz?

This past Saturday, the Defiance community came together for a successful Home Fire Campaign Smoke Alarm Installation Blitz, and we are grateful to every partner and volunteer who made it possible.

Working side by side, we provided home fire safety education and installed 51 smoke alarms in 25 homes, helping to make 71 Defiance residents safer. The impact of one morning of teamwork will last long after the event.

A heartfelt thank you to:
- City of Defiance, Mayor McCann Defiance, OH - Your City Government
- Kyle Wobler, State of Ohio Fire Marshal's Office Ohio State Fire Marshal
- Becky Baldwin Michael Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission
- Zonta Club of Defiance team members @ Zonta Club of Defiance
- American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio American Red Cross of Northern Ohio
- Our dedicated Defiance firefighters Defiance Firefighters Local #918
- Jennifer Sexton of the American Red Cross team for their partnership, coordination, and commitment to fire safety American Red Cross of Northern OhioAmerican Red Cross of Indiana
13abc

Smoke alarms save lives, and this effort demonstrates what can be achieved when local agencies, community organizations, and volunteers work together toward a common goal: helping our neighbors stay safe in their homes.

If you were not home during the neighborhood blitz but need a smoke alarm, please call the Defiance Fire Department at 419-782-2771. We can schedule an appointment to visit your home, evaluate your smoke alarm needs, and ensure you and your family are better protected.

We look forward to building on this success and making the Smoke Alarm Installation Blitz an annual event in Defiance.

Thank you once again to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and support to serve our community.

LET'S MAKE DEFIANCE SAFE!