BSTG Fire District

09/07/2026

** PRESS RELEASE ** 9/7/2026 **

Overnight Garage Fire Extends into Home on State Route 37 East; No Injuries Reported

At 0325 this morning, BST&G and our automatic aid partners were dispatched to a reported structure fire at a single-family residence on State Route 37 East in Trenton Township. The sole occupant was awakened by a loud popping sound, self-evacuated, and called 911.

Crews arrived to find the garage fully involved, with the roof collapsing and fire extending into the attic of the home. Companies confined the extension to approximately ten feet into the attic space. While the living area of the residence sustained limited flame damage, smoke damage throughout the structure was substantial.

There were no injuries to the occupant or to any of the responding firefighters. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The home was not equipped with working smoke alarms. In this case, the occupant happened to be awakened by the sound of the fire itself, an outcome no one should count on. Working smoke alarms provide the early warning that makes escape possible, particularly overnight when occupants are asleep. We urge every resident to test their alarms monthly, replace batteries as needed, and replace any alarm more than ten years old.

BST&G partners with the American Red Cross through its Sound the Alarm program. District residents who need a smoke alarm may email their name and contact information to [email protected], and we will arrange installation at no cost.

Thank you to our partners: Harlem Township Division of Fire, Genoa Township Fire Department, Porter Kingston Fire District Santa Tour, Monroe Township Fire Department, Big Walnut Joint Fire District, Tri Township Firefighter's Association, Delaware County, OH 911 - DELCOMM, Delaware County EMS

Photo: A BST&G Fire Investigator on the scene this morning.

09/07/2026

On November 3, your ballot will include a five-year operating levy for the BST&G Fire District. Here is exactly what it is, in plain numbers.

The question has two parts, and only one of them is new money:
● A renewal of 4.85 mills: the levy you already pay today. Not new money.
● An increase of 2.50 mills: new funding.
● Total voted rate: 7.35 mills.

What it costs: $176 per year for every $100,000 of the County Auditor's market value on your home. Because 4.85 mills of that is a renewal, the actual increase above what you pay now is $94.53 per $100,000.

What it raises: an estimated $6,071,628 per year.

How long: Five years. If approved, the levy would begin in 2026, with the first taxes due in 2027.

Over the next eight weeks, we will post the details behind every one of those numbers: why the Board placed the question on the ballot, what the revenue would fund, how our cost compares to the departments around us, and straight answers to the questions we are hearing most.

Our goal is simple. No one should walk into the booth on November 3 without the facts.

Questions: [email protected] or 740-965-3841.

https://bstgfire.org/2026-fire-levy

Serving Berkshire Twp. | City of Sunbury | Trenton Twp. | Village of Galena

ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

09/01/2026

OUR COMMUNITY HAS GROWN. SO HAS THE DEMAND FOR SERVICE.

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, voters in Berkshire Township, Sunbury, Trenton Township, and Galena will decide on a 5-year operating levy consisting of a 4.85-mill renewal of the current levy with a 2.50-mill increase for the BST&G Fire District.

Over the coming weeks, we'll explain the levy, the cost, where the money goes, and why it is needed.

Here are some early answers as to why now?

• Calls are up 75% since 2015
• Population has grown 84% in 10 years
• Overlapping calls (simultaneous calls) are up 162% since 2017
• Station 352 is open and needs to remain staffed 24/7
• The cost of equipment, healthcare and operations continue to rise while HB920 limits growth in our current levy

The proposed increase will keep staffing at Station 352, maintain adequate firefighter/EMT staffing district-wide, secure the six SAFER grant positions, replace aging equipment, and keep pace with a rapidly growing community.

We've also worked hard to maximize your tax dollars, securing more than $2.5 million in competitive grants since 2019.

This campaign isn't about asking you to simply trust us; it's about giving you the facts.

Please take the time to learn the facts and make an informed decision. There is more information available at:

Proudly serving the residents of Berkshire Twp, Sunbury, Trenton Twp, and Galena with reliable, professional service you can count on.

08/27/2026

We assisted Genoa Township with a barn fire the other night and Box 15 captured a bunch of pictures of our crews.

08/24/2026

Last week, ODOT cameras caught us in action on I-71.

08/20/2026

While we sure got some rain last night, Licking County really got hit. This morning, Delaware County was activated as part of the Ohio Fire Chiefs Emergency Response Plan- State Mutual Aid.

Licking County needed an additional 5 water rescue teams and boats, as all of their resources were busy. BST&G was able to send a two-person crew and our inflatable boat first to West Licking Fire District, then to Hebron/ Heath and assisted with numerous evacuations from a residential area.

These pictures are from our crew right before they were released to come back home. We are glad we could help, and fortunate that Delaware County wasn’t impacted severely from the weather.

08/11/2026

Happy Birthday Matt!!!! 3F Fitness

08/07/2026

eScooter Fire: Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) Incident

This afternoon, BST&G responded to a reported garage fire at one of our newer apartment complexes. Upon arrival, crews found that a lithium-ion-powered eScooter had been pulled from the garage and extinguished by the owners. The garage sustained moderate smoke damage, and thanks to the owners' quick actions, no other units were damaged. Given the nature of these fires, our crew still had to cool the battery to render it safe.

Over the last few years, we have seen a steady increase in lithium-ion battery-related fires in our district. This incident had a good outcome, but not all of these do. The last picture is a safety sheet from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

07/30/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have unfortunately decided to postpone the ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 7, 2026, to celebrate the opening of Station 352 and Medic 11.

We are excited to share our new facility with everyone, and we will look to schedule a new date for the ceremony as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

07/24/2026

Please join us on August 7, 2026, from 4- 6 pm.