KINSMAN VOLUNTEER
Fire Department
Kinsman Fire Department
Station 33
8450 Center Street
Kinsman, Ohio 44428-9503
330.876.3375 (Business only)
fire@kinsmanstownship.org
Emergencies: DIAL 911
FIRE TRAINING
1st and 3rd Monday of every month at 6:30 PM at Kinsman Fire Dept.
EMS TRAINING
2nd Monday of every month at 7:00 PM at Johnston Fire Dept.
POISON CONTROL
Need help now? Call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 or visit PoisonHelp.org
Text POISON to 797979 to save the contact for poison control in your phone.
Poison control centers offer free, confidential, expert medical advice 24/7 through the Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222, and their new online, interactive tool, PoisonHelp.org.
DEPARTMENT MEMBERS
Chief Tyler Elser
Fire Chief | Firefighter 2 | Grain Bin Rescue Level 1 | Volunteer Fire Officer | Hazmat Awareness | Hazmat Ops
FIRE OFFICERS
Chad Thompson
Assistant Chief | Firefighter
Doug Elser
Lieutenant | Firefighter
Larry Pleva
Captain | Firefighter
Locan Pearce
Lieutenant | Firefighter I
MEMBERS
Dale Goist
Firefighter | Engineer | Chaplain
Amerissa Minor
Firefighter | Medic
Don Stevens
Firefighter | EMT
Chris Minor
EMT
Ethan Pleva
Cadet
Cameron Pavlic
Cadet
Jacob Metz
Cadet
Mark Houser
Member
Bob Van Kanegan
Firefighter l | Engineer
Sophia Minor
Firefighter | Medic
Domonic Minor
Firefighter
Roxanne Minor
EMT
Ian Tricker
Cadet
Rae Lynn Matson
Cadet
Tanya Tricker
Member
Jim Geyer
Life Member
KINSMAN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC
2021 Association Officers
Doug Elser
President
Tanya Tricker
Treasurer
Bob Van Kanegan
Vice President
Don Stevens
Secretary
TRUSTEES
Cory VanKanegan
Dale Goist
Logan Pearce
Department History
The Kinsman Fire Truck Company, as it was originally named, came into being around 1926 with Lloyd jones becoming its first chief. In 1929 John “Jack” Carkhuff became its second Chief.
With a Model T Ford truck and a few chemical tanks housed in the A.G. Birrell Garage, they were ready to serve the public. Telephone calls were relayed there by an obliging operator.
In 1937 the township trustees bought a new truck and funds were solicited to finance the new organization. The first Fire Station, located on the NE side of the Route 7 bridge below the Town Square, was acquired and improvements made by the men in their leisure time. This was the home of the Fire Department until the late 1960’s when the current building was constructed on Ridge Road. The front of the building was added to in 1971 providing a meeting room, office, and additional truck bays to meet the needs of a growing community.
Much credit of the early Fire department is given to John Carkhuff who ran it from 1929 until his retirement in 1968. Credit also needs to be given to those who followed and gave equally in effort to the township and its residents. Their time may not have been as long but their service is equally appreciated. Those who gave selflessly to the community before retiring include Richard “Dick” Bloss, Donald “Don” Clute, Frank Carmichael, and Glen Marvin.
During the 1940’s the Women’s Auxiliary came to fruition with Ruth Menock as its first President. Organized between 1947 and 1949 they labor to diligently assist the Firefighters when necessary. They continue to meet regularly at the Fire Hall.
Today, the Fire Department Building continues to be owned and operated by the Fire Association. The Township Trustees contract to house the taxpayer emergency vehicles there.