Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department

05/20/2026

Well done Captain Wargo!

05/19/2026

Tonight, Fire Instructor Waggoner continued our training on the department’s new SCBA equipment. Our crew started by reviewing the fundamentals of the new air packs before moving into several hands-on drills focused on quickly, efficiently, and correctly donning turnout gear and SCBAs.

To wrap up the evening, firefighters were put to the test with a simulated search scenario. Crews had to rapidly gear up and use our thermal imaging camera to locate our volunteer victim — Instructor Waggoner’s son, Wyatt — in a completely blacked-out meeting room.

Another great night of training as our members continue building confidence and becoming more comfortable with the department’s new equipment!

04/28/2026

🚨 Free File of Life Packets Available for Catawba Island Township Residents 🚨

Catawba Island Township residents—stop by the Township Administration Building and pick up your FREE File of Life packet, now available on the table in the lobby.

The File of Life is a simple but incredibly important emergency tool. Each packet includes a red magnetic pouch (kept on your refrigerator) and a medical information card where you can list:

* Medical conditions
* Medications
* Allergies
* Emergency contacts

In an emergency, especially if someone is unconscious or unable to communicate, this information allows first responders to act quickly and provide the most accurate care possible. ⏱️🚑

If you’re unable to stop by but would still like a packet, please contact the fire department and we’ll make sure you receive one.

📌 Important: Each person should have their own File of Life packet.

Help us keep our community safe—pick one up for you and your family today!

04/28/2026

Last night, representatives from Fire Safety Services provided our team with in-depth training on our new SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) equipment. These new packs will be placed into service soon, replacing our current units that have reached the end of their service life.

SCBAs are one of the most critical pieces of equipment we use to operate safely in Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) environments. They protect our firefighters from smoke and extreme heat on fire scenes, carbon monoxide exposure during CO calls, and hazardous toxins during hazmat incidents.

These new packs also feature integrated PASS (Personal Alert Safety System) devices, which provide escalating audible alarms if a firefighter becomes motionless, distressed, or incapacitated—helping crews quickly locate and assist one another in emergency situations. In addition to standard Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) air connections, the packs are equipped with buddy-breathing capabilities, allowing firefighters to share air with a downed teammate during rescue efforts.

The Catawba Island Volunteer Firemen’s Association is proud to have contributed $130,000 (approximately 50%) toward the purchase of this life-saving equipment. Investments like this are essential to ensuring our volunteers can safely serve and protect our community.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from our community. Every donation is handled with care and responsibility—a tradition passed down through generations of CIVFD members. We remain committed to using those funds wisely to directly benefit both our firefighters and the township we serve.

Thank you for your ongoing support. It truly makes a difference!

04/21/2026

Tonight, Captain Wargo taught an intro class to our membership on air lifting bags for rescue and extrication. These tools are new to our department and add another option for crews to use during rescue operations.

As per usual, Captain Wargo provided us with a wealth of knowledge and understanding. We will continue with part 2 of this training at a later date, as next week we will begin training on our new SCBA equipment.

04/03/2026

03/11/2026

FREE CPR and AED Training
is back.
The next class for Catawba Island Township residents and businesses is April 22nd. We will have two classes that day. One from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM and another at 6:00 PM till 8:30 PM. Call 419-797-2424, leave name and phone number to reserve your spot.❤️

03/07/2026

CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS, CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES! Did you know your smoke and CO detectors have an end of life? Always follow manufacturer recommendations, but most smoke detectors are only good for 10 years after their manufacture date, and most CO detectors require replacement after 5-7 years, regardless of either's power source. Spring forward safely!

03/03/2026

Last evening, we welcomed Reverend John Hazzard as the Chaplain of the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department. Thank you for your continued service to the community, Pastor John, and welcome!