Washington Court House Fire/Rescue Department

08/28/2026

We’re settling into the second week of school, but this reminder is important every single day. 🚌

When a school bus stops to pick up or drop off students, know when you’re required to stop. Yellow flashing lights mean slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm mean stop at least 10 feet away and wait until the lights stop.

A few extra moments of patience can help keep our Blue Lions safe.

08/24/2026

Supporting Fayette County EMS District - FCEMS - Washington CH, Ohio Levy Renewal

The Washington Court House Fire Department stands firmly behind the Fayette County EMS District's three-year renewal levy on this November's ballot. This isn't a new tax — it's a renewal that keeps a 50-year tradition of life-saving service intact for our community.

Key facts:

Renewal levy, not to exceed 1.9 mills — about $49/year for each $100,000 of auditor's market value

Generates an estimated $1.48 million annually for medical supplies, equipment, and operational costs

Covers more than 4,400 emergency calls per year across Washington Court House, New Holland, participating Fayette County townships, and part of Perry Township
2026 marks the district's 50th year of service

District residents pay $0 out-of-pocket for EMS response, thanks to the soft-billing model — the district bills insurance and covers the rest through levy funds

Fast, reliable EMS response is a cornerstone of public safety in our community, and it works hand-in-hand with the fire service every day. We're asking residents to join us in supporting this renewal on the November ballot.

Full article link below.

WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — The Fayette County EMS District will place a three-year renewal levy on the November general election ballot, with the rate not to exceed 1.9 mills, which amounts to $49 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value.

08/22/2026

Structure Fire – 926 Clinton Avenue

Our department was dispatched at 6:14 PM Friday evening for a reported possible grain silo fire at 926 Clinton Avenue. While en route, our crew identified a working structure fire and requested mutual aid from Jefferson Township Fire (ladder truck) and Concord Green Volunteer Fire (station coverage).

Upon arrival, crews confirmed the fire was in the abandoned grain elevator building adjacent to the grain bins — not a silo. This structure formerly housed the conveyors used to move and distribute grain, rather than storing it.

Due to the condition of the structure, no firefighters entered the building; operations were conducted defensively using two ladder trucks. A drone was used following knockdown to help assess conditions inside the structure.

The property owners were on scene throughout the incident, working directly with fire leadership on next steps. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time and remains under investigation.

If you have home security or dash camera footage from the area prior to the fire being reported — particularly anything showing activity in the vicinity beforehand — please contact our department. This kind of footage can be genuinely useful to investigators, even if it doesn't seem significant to you.

We're grateful for the coordinated response from our firefighters, mutual aid partners, Washington Court House Police, Fayette County Sheriff Dispatchers, Fayette County Box65 Scene, Jefferson Twp. Fire & EMS ,and Concord Green Fire Department. Incidents like this take a lot of moving parts working together, and last night was a strong example of that partnership.

A safety reminder: when a large fire is reported, please do not drive to the area. Last night, congestion from bystanders significantly slowed our crews' ability to safely reach the scene — in one case, a vehicle stopped and blocked an apparatus's path to point to them where the fire was located (we know where the fire was). We understand the instinct to see what's happening, but it puts our responders and the public at greater risk.

Additionally, the property involved is private property. Entering it to take photos is not authorized and adds unnecessary strain on responders who are already managing a complex scene. Giving us that space is one of the most helpful things the community can do.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding

08/22/2026

Happening today in Fayetye County.

This afternoon- Saturday, August 22, Fayette County First Responders will be actively participating in a full-scale exercise at McDonald & Son Feeds on Inskeep Road. Vehicles will stage at Miami Trace Elementary School for this exercise. This is NOT real. It is realistic training that helps better prepare our County for emergency responses. Please avoid the area to allow responders to train.

08/17/2026

The Washington CH Fire/Rescue invites the community to join us for a spooktacular afternoon of fun, fire safety, and activities for the whole family!!

🗓 When - Saturday, October 17th
🕰 What time - 1pm-3pm
📍 Where -
Stop 1 — WCH Fire/Rescue
225 E. Market St., Washington Court House

Stop 2 — Fayette County EMS District - FCEMS - Washington CH, Ohio 115 E. Temple St., Washington Court House

🎃 Halloween Fun and Fire Safety🎃
Come dressed in your best Halloween costume and trick-or-treat with the firemen while learning about fire safety with your family!

We look forward to seeing you there!!
🚒Washington CH Fire/Rescue🚒

08/15/2026

08/15/2026

Saturday Morning Well Spent: Driver/Operator Training 🧑‍🚒🚒

This morning, members of the Washington Court House Fire Department gave up part of their weekend to sharpen a skill that matters every single time we respond — safely and effectively operating our fire apparatus.

Our paid-call members joined the duty crew for hands-on driver/operator training, working through the required proficiency hours that keep every member ready to get behind the wheel or run the pump panel when it counts. This isn't just a box to check — it's a direct investment in the safety of our members and the community we serve.

Whether it's navigating tight streets, backing into position, or operating pump controls under pressure, these are skills that have to stay sharp. We're proud of our members — full-time and paid-call alike — who showed up on their day off to train for the moments none of us can predict.

08/14/2026

Yesterday, the Washington C.H. Fire Department was honored to welcome Congressman Mike Carey (OH-15) to our firehouse for a tour, a visit with our on-duty crew, and an open conversation about the issues facing today's fire service.

Congressman Carey took the time to walk our station, meet the men and women who answer the call every day, and simply listen to their experiences, their perspective, and what matters most to them on the job. That kind of engagement means a great deal to our members and to this department.

We're grateful to Congressman Carey and his office for making the trip to Fayette County, and for the genuine interest he showed in the work our firefighters do for this community. Thank you for stopping by, Congressman — we hope this is the first of many conversations.

08/12/2026

⚡ LIGHTNING STRIKE REMINDER⚡

Earlier today, Washington Court House Fire Department crews responded to a report of a possible lightning strike to a residential structure. Upon arrival, crews confirmed the building had been struck. A thorough investigation found no active fire and no injuries to residents — for that, we are grateful.

Power to the affected units was disconnected as a precaution, allowing licensed electricians to safely inspect and repair the system before it's restored. During our investigation, we found that several apartments in the building sustained damage to electronic devices from the electrical surge caused by the strike.

Lightning can strike anywhere, anytime — and it doesn't need to hit your home directly to cause damage. A strike to a power line or nearby structure can send a surge through your electrical system in an instant.

🔌 A few ways to protect your home and devices:
✅ Use quality surge protectors on TVs, computers, and other sensitive electronics
✅ Consider a whole-home surge protection system for added protection
✅ Unplug valuable electronics during severe thunderstorms when possible
✅ If you hear thunder, it's close enough to strike — stay indoors and avoid corded electronics and plumbing

We're thankful this incident wasn't worse, and we appreciate our crews' quick, thorough response. Stay safe out there, Washington Court House!