Circleville Firefighters, Hospital Teams Work Side by Side in Busy Year
Circleville firefighters are on pace to respond to more than 5,000 calls this year, everything from medical runs to fires and specialized rescues. Many of those calls end at OhioHealth Berger Hospital, where emergency staff and first responders work together daily to keep patients safe.
The Circleville Fire Department, which provides both fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS), is an important partner for the hospital.
“It’s a partnership we rely on every day,” said Berger Hospital president Casey Liddy. “When patients arrive with EMS, our teams are able to make faster, safer decisions because of the information they share.”
Circleville Fire Chief Brian Thompson said the relationship has been built over years of working closely together. “Most of our calls involve patient transport to Berger,” Thompson said. “Our crews know the hospital staff well, and that familiarity helps us hand off patients quickly so they can get the care they need.”
The fire department averages 15–25 calls a day. “On scene things move pretty quickly and can be unpredictable,” said Thompson. “Once patients reach the hospital, the focus shifts to stabilizing and treating them. We depend on each other at both ends.”
On Tuesday, October 7, hospital leaders stopped by the fire station with a gift basket to thank the crew for their help during a summer smoke incident at the hospital and for their ongoing work throughout the year.
Collaboration between Berger Hospital and the fire department extends beyond emergencies. Firefighters regularly join hospital events such as Touch a Truck, where children can climb into fire engines and learn about safety gear. Thompson said those activities help kids see that the person behind the mask and helmet is “just a regular firefighter there to help.”
Fire Safety Week, observed October 5–11, is another chance for outreach. This year’s statewide focus is on lithium-ion battery safety, covering items like hoverboards and scooters. The Circleville Fire Department will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, giving residents a chance to tour the station and see equipment up close.
With Circleville growing and call volumes rising, hospital staff and firefighters say the daily connection between their teams remains vital. “It’s about making sure the community gets the best possible care,” Thompson said.
