Frequently Asked Questions

• To keep a full staff of Firefighter Paramedics/Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to ensure that the ambulance service is always fully operational.
• The District is experiencing the loss of Firefighter/Paramedics and EMTs to other Fire Departments since they are paying more.
• Five full-time and 12 part-time employees have left as of February 15, 2022.

Yes, in order to prevent further loss of employees, the District did increase the starting wage from $13.50 an hour to $17.00.

The District's wages were at the bottom of the pay scale for Paramedics/EMTs compared to other departments in the tri-county area. (Austintown, $14.76 - Howland, $20.07 - Cortland, $17.89)

It will cost $57.00 annually for a home valuation of $100,000.

It is a 1.63 mills - continuous levy.

If the Levy passes, it will raise $1,054,920 annually.

• To add 9 additional full-time Firefighter-Paramedics/EMTs to comply with the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standards and to fully staff ambulances. (This will give the District 3 full-time Firefighter-Paramedics and 1 part-time Firefighter-EMT per 24-hour shift.)
• To puchase ambulance equipment and to provide ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical services.

NFPA 1710 provides the minimum requirements relating to the organization and deployment of fire suppression operations, emergency medical operations, and special operations to the public by career fire departments. 

• NFPA requires 4 people on duty per station or engine.
• Currently the District has 5 full-time and 3 part-time on duty, for a total of 8 Firefighter-Paramedics/EMTs.
• If the levy passes, the District would be able to have 8 full-time and 4 part-time for a total of 12 Firefighter-Paramedics/EMTs on duty.

• The District encompasses 25 square miles and response time for a medical or fire call can be the determining factor in Saving Lives.
• The strategic location of each Fre Station is necessary in Reducing Response Times.
• Business and Residential owners' insurance costs are reduced due to the number and strategic location of the District's fire stations.

• Emergency medical calls have increased by 78% from 2010-2021.
• 18% of that increase is from 2020-2021.
• Private ambulance companies in the Valley are having difficulties providing services for the communities with whom they have contracted.

• There are 3 ambulances staffed 24/7 - 1 for each Station
• There is a 4th that is utilized when the others are answering calls.
• They responded to 1570 Emergency Medical calls in 2021.

• Quicker response to Residents' medical emergencies
• Professional Fire-fighter Paramedics and EMTs 
• Canfield Residents won't receive a bill (may even use a portion of yearly deductible.)
• This has saved Residents in out-of-pocket expenses $365,.000 since 2017.

PROPOSED TAX LEVY (ADDITIONAL)

CARDINAL JOINT FIRE DISTRICT

(MAHONING COUNTY)

A Majority Affirmative Vote is Necessary for Passage

An additional tax fo the benefit of the Cardinal Joint Fire District for the payment of permanent and part-time firefighters and emergency medical service personnel, including the payment of any employer contributions required for such personnel under Sections 145.48 724.34 of the Revised Code, for the purchase of ambulance equipment, and for the provision of ambulances, paramedic or orhte emergency medical services operated by a fire department, which amounts to $.163 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for a continuing period of time, commencing in the tax year 2022, first due in calendar year 2023.