City of Ashland Fire Division

07/18/2026

We would like to thank Abers Towing and Crane Service for inviting us to their Touch a Truck event today! This morning we were able to participate in a live auto extrication demonstration for those attending. This event allowed members of the public to see one of the numerous skills that your Ashland Firefighters train in for vehicle emergencies. It also allowed us to show case the relationship that the department has with our tow companies and how valuable an asset that our tow companies are! Thank you again for the invite and those that came out to see the demonstration!

07/16/2026

If you step outside today, you will likely notice a distinct smell of smoke and a hazy, gray sky. Please do not be alarmed!

What is happening?
- Smoke from Canadian wildfires has drifted south into Northeast Ohio, triggering a statewide air quality advisory.

When to call 911 ( and when not to)

- Do NOT call 911 just because you smell smoke outdoors or see a general haze over the city. Dispatch lines need to remain open for emergencies.
- Do call 911 if you see an active column of smoke, flames, or have a reason to believe there is an actual fire in your neighborhood.

Safety tips for today:

- Keep windows closed and run your air conditioning on “recirculate” to minimize introducing poor quality outside air.
- Limit outdoor activities. Sensitive groups including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses should avoid strenuous outdoor activities today.

07/07/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected.

07/03/2026

Will you be attending any of the events around the city tomorrow? Your Ashland Firefighters will be at each event to ensure everyone from our city and visiting our city have a safe and happy 4th of July!

We are still expecting some warmer temperatures for tomorrow, so be sure to stay cool and hydrated during the day!

Tomorrow is the big day—America’s 250th birthday 🇺🇸🎂 and we have a day full of events to celebrate the occasion!

🎉10:00 AM – America’s 250th Birthday Bash Parade
- The parade will kick off at Claremont Avenue and College Avenue, travel North and turn onto E. Main Street and continue through to Union Street
- This event will be livestreamed on the City of Ashland Facebook and YouTube

🇺🇸 2:00 PM – Freedom Park & Monument Dedication
- We encourage everyone to use parking lots around the Pump House District and congregate near Freedom Park, on 4th Street between Orange Street and Union Street
- This event will be livestreamed on the City of Ashland Facebook and YouTube

🎆 5:30 PM – America’s 250th Birthday Party & Fireworks Celebration
- Freer Field will be open for parking at 4:30PM
- Live entertainment will take the stage at 5:30PM
- Several food trailers will be at the field this year and we will have some special birthday surprises planned throughout the evening

We ask that NO DRONES fly in or around any of the day’s festivities.

06/26/2026

Thank you to the chamber of commerce for joining us this morning! It's always great to meet with our community groups and strengthen our relations with one another!

06/12/2026

As a reminder to everyone in the area of Regan School. There will be a live drill involving Fire and Law Enforcement today at the school.

05/17/2026

Today, crews responded to an unusual and complex incident. Ashland was dispatched to a person stuck in a tree while skydiving. Crews were able to quickly locate the individual and begin to assemble plans for their removal. Fortunately, the person was uninjured and only needed assistance down. Due to the remote location and the saturated ground, additional equipment was needed to accomplish the task. McFadden Tree Service 419 295-6665 and K&M Tree Services LLC were able to bring additional equipment to the scene and complete the rescue. We are incredibly fortunate to have companies in our area who are willing to respond and work with us when these complex incidents arise!

05/16/2026

Today the department honors one of our fallen members of the Ashland Fire Division.

On the morning of May 16th, 1959 Fire Chief Paul Soles Sr. was found deceased in his home by his son who was also a member of the department. Chief Soles death was ultimately linked to a fire that the Chief responded to the night before on May 15th in downtown Ashland. After the fire, multiple members reported being ill, and it was reported that there was a green smoke coming from the building on the department's arrival. Chief Soles was one of 2 members on the initial response and conducted fire suppression operations in the building. After returning from the call, the Chief stated he was not feeling right and was going to go home. The members of the department received a phone call the next morning stating that the Chief had been found deceased.

Through retired members accounts of the fire itself, as well as newspaper articles that were able to be obtained from that era, Chief Soles was officially recognized as a Line of Duty Death by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in 2023.

https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/paul-soles-sr/

05/07/2026

🚨 We're back!🚨
We might have missed posting the March run volume, but we will be making up for it this month!
Crews have been hard at work with training and classes gaining knowledge and preparing for all types of emergencies. Be sure to check back later this month for some exciting announcements that will add to our crews abilities!

03/30/2026

Last night your Ashland City Fire Department held their annual awards banquet. This night is to reflect on the previous years accomplishments, gather our members families together and, recognize the exceptional work of our members. Each year the department recognizes one Officer, one Firefighter, and One EMT. These members are nominated by their peers for their hard work and dedication to the department over the previous year.

2025 Officer of the year is Captain Ben Burrer
2025 Firefighter of the year is Chris Schmidt
2025 EMT of the year is David Foster

We would like to thank Ohio Fire for hosting the department for the evening! And also thank the Council Members and Mayor of City of Ashland Ohio for joining us and showing your support for our members and department!