CANFIELD — The Cardinal Joint Fire District board of directors took steps to fill the district’s roster with the swearing-in of three new firefighters at Monday’s meeting.

Firefighters / paramedics Austin Hungerford and Sam Kanagy, and firefighter / EMT Landon Gardner took their oath of office, followed by the board’s acceptance of two more personnel who will be sworn in next month. Jacob Gochneaur and Michael McNally were approved based on the recommendation of the personnel committee.

“That will put us at full staff,” said fire Chief Don Hutchison.

Following the oath of office, a five-minute recess was ordered to allow staff and board members a chance to check out the new ladder truck, which officially went into service earlier in the day.

AMBULANCE DISCUSSION

The meeting then continued with a discussion on ambulances. With the district’s two new ambulances, a decision has to be made on its two oldest ambulances. Both are 2017 models, but one is considered to be the newer one.

Board Chairman Dave Knarr said the EMS committee met and recommended getting rid of one and saving the other as a fifth ambulance or backup. Hutchison said having a backup is a good decision.

He said the fifth ambulance can be used if needed and would be vital to have when the newer ambulances have to go in for maintenance or service. He said keeping one of the 2017 models would only cost the district another $385 a year in liability insurance.

As for the second 2017 ambulance, the board approved 4-0 to declare the vehicle as surplus so it can be sold. A discussion was held about what must be done and what further steps need to be taken.

“Right now, I have two other departments asking about it,” Hutchison said.

The board turned to legal counsel Atty. David “Chip” Comstock, who said they took the correct first step.

“You are moving in the right direction by first declaring the ambulance as surplus, so it can be sold,” he said. “If the intent is to sell it to another governmental entity, then you don’t need to advertise it or send it through a government auction.”

He said in Ohio, one government entity can sell to another directly. He did recommend having sealed bids if there are two other departments wanting to buy it. He said it would have to be stated if there is a minimum and what date and time a sealed bid would be opened.

The board agreed to the minimum price of $90,000 for that ambulance.

In other business, the board:

• Approved an agreement with the Canfield city dispatchers to provide dispatching for the district at a cost of $107,000 per year for the next three years. The agreement is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025.

• Approved $36,049 for an Ohio Plan Liability Policy for the coming year.

• Approved purchasing four new heart monitors at a cost of $236,150.60. The new monitors will go on the district’s new ambulances and the four units being replaced will go on the fifth ambulance and three of the district’s rescue trucks.

• Approved a three-year service agreement with Striker out of Edmund, Washington, to cover the ambulance cots and stair chairs. The agreement is for $20,237 per year.

• Moved the May meeting from Memorial Day Monday to Thursday, May 29, at 5:30 p.m.