According to Bloomingdale Mayor Dave Gaffney, Wayne Township trustees did not renew a fire protection contract last Tuesday that allows the volunteer fire department to operate, following a long internal dispute.

Arguments between two groups have been going on for over five years, according to the mayor. The Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office came down on the Bloomingdale VFD for not complying with state laws, Gaffney said.

"With an older community, it's a major impact as far as the ambulance. You're going from a 3- to 5-minute response time for an ambulance to maybe having to call Wintersville," said Gaffney, who is also with the fire department.

Residents like Donald Klinesmith said they are also worried.

"I think it's very important to have a fire department here in town. The nearest one is Unionport and it's going to take at least 10 minutes for them to get here if we have a fire. And I own five rental properties here, and I'm sure the insurance is going to go up," said Klinesmith, of Bloomingdale.

Gaffney said the department went to court in March 2011 while the village temporarily took over filing the paperwork.

"We've got $80,000 worth of FEMA equipment that's never been put in use in four and a half years. So I mean it’s just frustrating for the guys that are going to school and keeping their certifications up and help their community," said Gaffney.

Unionport and Belvedere fire departments will provide fire coverage for the town, Gaffney said.

NEWS9 reached out to the Bloomingdale fire chief for his thoughts, but he said he had no comment over the phone.

Todd Busana, who said he is a trustee on the fire department, told NEWS9 he wants to stress to Bloomingdale residents that they will not lose fire protection. He said the township trustees did not take any action in regards to the contract.

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