06/11/2026
Rossford Community,
I wanted to provide additional context regarding the decision to discontinue support for the Fire Explorer Program at Rossford Fire & Rescue.
First, it is important to recognize and appreciate the tremendous impact the program had over its 33-year history. Many young men and women benefited from the dedication of numerous advisors and members, with many going on to careers in the fire service, EMS, law enforcement, healthcare, military service, and other professions. The contributions of those who built and maintained the program deserve recognition.
However, the decision to discontinue departmental support was not made lightly. Following the transition to a combination department with full-time staffing, oversight of the program was assigned to a captain who was simultaneously responsible for numerous operational and administrative duties. As time progressed, the program required a level of supervision, planning, and advisor involvement that could no longer be consistently sustained with available personnel and resources.
The department also experienced a decline in advisor participation and long-term program planning. As a result, responsibility for activities and meetings increasingly shifted to on-duty personnel who were not designated advisors and who often had to develop programming on short notice while still maintaining their primary emergency response responsibilities.
Additionally, the department encountered behavioral, disciplinary, and liability concerns that required increasing administrative attention. These included issues involving compliance with department expectations, interactions with public safety personnel, and allegations that ultimately required legal review and involvement. While these incidents did not reflect the conduct of all participants, they contributed to concerns regarding the department's ability to effectively manage the program under the existing structure.
Ultimately, the decision was based on the department's obligation to prioritize emergency response services, employee resources, risk management, and organizational sustainability. It was determined that the department could no longer provide the level of oversight necessary to operate the program responsibly and safely.
The decision should not be viewed as a criticism of the program's historical success or of the many individuals who benefited from it over the years. Rather, it reflects the operational realities facing the department at this time.
I hope this provides additional context regarding the factors that contributed to the decision.
Respectfully,
Rick Syroka
Fire Chief - Rossford Fire & Rescue Department
