ROSSFORD, OH (WTOL) – Emergency response times to a popular local shopping area could improve. Perrysburg Township and Rossford may team up for emergency coverage at the Crossroads shopping center on Route 20.
Many of the stores in the Crossroads shopping area are technically in Rossford. The city annexed the land from Perrysburg Township in 2003 and Rossford is responsible for emergency response. However, Perrysburg Township could now take the lead in an effort to cut down response times.
Perrysburg Township's Police and Fire Departments are located less than one mile from the shopping plazas along Route 20. Rossford's Fire Station is more than five miles away.
This issue is only being discussed but Perrysburg Township and Rossford leaders said the move would make sense. Much of the cost could be covered by a grant from the Ohio Department of Development and such a shared service agreement could help cut costs for local governments.
Perrysburg Township Administrator John Hrosko said the move is about more than money.
"To respond to something here right behind us takes our guys two minutes to get there. If we could help save a life and be assistant to somebody and help Rossford, that's what we would do," Hrosko said.
There will be a conference later this month with representatives from many local areas to discuss shared services.
There is no word on when a change at the Crossroads could begin, but it would likely start with police response.
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