06/10/2026
On June 1, 1992, the Rossford Fire Explorer Post 790 was created by two brothers of the City of
Rossford. Lt. Robert, Jr. and Capt. Richard Vascik, with the approval of Chief Tony Jackson and
Mayor Mark Zuchowski. Over the past 33 1⁄2 years, the Fire Explorer Post has impacted
hundreds of local youths by building leadership skills and seeing 35 of those members move on
to fight fire as career or volunteers. With many more serving our country in the armed forces
and servicing their communities as first responders, nurses, and Law Enforcement
personnel. These members are not just regional; they are nationwide. From the Grays River
Fire Department in Washington state to Florida's Estro Fire Rescue Department. Our members
continue to help shape the ever-changing world of the fire service. With the help of our alumni
Chief Allison Armstrong, Division Chief of Operations Grant Schwalbe, Battalion Chief Andrew
Vascik, Lieutenants Joe Hoffman and Dan Turner, and firefighters Jacob Hoffman and Kyle Simok.
Early on in the post’s ten-year Capt. Richard Vascik, ret. understood the importance of
expanding the Explorer Program's reach beyond Rossford. He approached the City of
Northwood Fire Department to build a lasting relationship by engaging members of their school
district and seeking assistance from their fire department. No one would have known how
important that lasting relationship would be.
Explorer Post 790 will be ever grateful for the opportunities the City of Rossford and the
Rossford Fire & Rescue Department provided our youth to become leaders in the region and the
fire service. Over the past 33 1⁄2 years, the Rossford Fire Explorers have seen many of the other
fire explorer posts in the region close their doors. The Rossford Fire Explorer Post was the last in
the Erie Shores Council to be active, specializing in Fire and EMS.
As the Rossford Fire Department moved to a combination department of Full-Time and Part-
Time firefighters on a 24-hour shift in March of 2025, the explorer post saw little change in
operations. Over the closing months of 2025, tension between explorers was growing. Young
adults are especially challenging to connect with and to help them understand life. With that
said, the Rossford Fire Department Administration decided to discontinue support for this
beneficial program for the region’s young adults.
The 33 1⁄2-year chapter with the City of Rossford officially closed in January of 2026. We thank
all former members of the Rossford Fire and Rescue Department who championed the program
and helped drive change in our chosen profession. Know this, your help with the youth of the
program has changed the fire service in ways we all will never know.
God closes one door, He will open another! The long-standing relationship with the
Northwood Fire Department has proven beneficial. The Rossford Explorer Post 790 would like
to especially thank alumni Lieutenant Jeremy Beckman for his continued support and belief in
the benefit of the Fire Explorer Program. This could not have happened without the support of
the Northwood Fire Department's administration, led by Fire Chief Joel Whitmore, Deputy Chief
Randy Roslin, and District Chief Dave Hartle. And the administration of the City of Northwood,
Mayor Ed Schimmel, and Administrator Kevin Laughlin.
The future is bright for the Northwood Fire Explorer Post 790
