Vandalia

FIRE PREVENTION
MESSAGE FROM THE FIRE MARSHAL

DUANE STITZEL, CAPTAIN/FIRE MARSHAL Welcome to the Fire Prevention Bureau, a service of the City of Vandalia Fire Division.  Captain Stitzel was hired on July 9, 2007, as the full time Fire Marshal/Captain for the Vandalia Fire Division. Captain Stitzel was formerly a firefighter/paramedic with the City of Springfield where he was a technical rescue/hazmat technician and a fire safety inspector. Captain Stitzel's background as a United States Air Force fire protection specialist at WPAFB, a safety officer for Mercy Health System, and a field supervisor/instructor for Clark County EMA has prepared him well for the Fire Marshal's position.  Captain Stitzel's primary responsibility is overseeing the Division of Fire's Fire Prevention Bureau and Fire Prevention work group.  Captain Stitzel is a Fire Instructor at Sinclair Community College, and is currently enrolled  in the Fire Science Program at the University of Cincinnati.

The goal of the Fire Marshal and the Fire Prevention Bureau  is to educate and encourage everyone to be "fire safe."  Safety education for everyone, both young and old, is a key ingredient in accomplishing this task. 

On an annual basis the fire division's personnel reaches out to all the schools with our programs and accommodates other numerous visits from pre-schools and day care centers to teach children the importance of fire safety.  Other displays during local community events reach an even greater number of citizens and we encourage the citizens to ask questions of our crew about fire and life safety tips. Please visit our Public Education Program's page or we encourage you to call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 937-415-2285 with any questions or email us.

JOHN M. SANDS, LIEUTENANT Lieutenant Sands is a life-long resident of Vandalia and a graduate of Vandalia Butler High School.  Lieutenant Sands has been involved in the fire service since his graduation from Vandalia Butler in 1997.  He was hired as a paid on call firefighter/paramedic on February 2, 2004, and was promoted to paid on call Lieutenant on October 16, 2007.  Lieutenant Sands is assigned to the Fire Prevention work group and his primary areas of responsibility are communications, dispatching, and radio equipment.  In addition to serving this community, Lieutenant Sands serves the citizens of Fairborn as a career firefighter/paramedic with the City of Fairborn Fire Department.

The Fire Prevention Bureau is also tasked with making sure the local businesses are safe for consumers and employees.  Annually we conduct inspections and ensure that any safety issues are addressed and corrected.  Upon request we provide technical training to business owners and their employees, such as, how to use a fire extinguisher, first aid techniques, CPR, hazardous conditions awareness, and emergency operations.  Please visit our Public Education Program'spage or if you feel your business has a need for any type of training please call 937-415-2285 or email us.

Finally, we offer safety tips and inspections for our residential homeowners.  Statistics indicate that more people die in home fires than in any other place.  Fortunately through our smoke detector program we offer free smoke detectors and their installation to anyone in the City of Vandalia. 

Thank you for visiting our website and please do not hesitate to call  937-415-2285 or email us with any type of question.  Be safe and make sure your home has a smoke detector.