On Saturday, December 13, 2019, Chief Joe Kitchen was inducted into the Bath Local Schools Hall of Fame.

This is the inaugural class of Hall of Fame recipients. The six inductees were Paulett Eberhart (’71), Robert Hempker (’66), Joe Kitchen (‘88), Vicki Mauk (’76), Gretchen Prichard (teacher, coach 1958-1997), and Jerry Ward (’60).

Chief Kitchen said, “I am deeply honored by this recognition and cannot adequately express my gratitude. I will work hard to be worthy of this distinction. Thank you to the many people who have supported me and advocated for me throughout my life.”

Joe Kitchen joined the Bath Township Fire Dept. in 1990, starting as a volunteer. He served six years as lieutenant, and was appointed Fire Chief in 2002. Chief Kitchen is a graduate of the Apollo Career Center Public Safety Program, and Rhodes State College. He holds degrees in both Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science. He is a Level II firefighter, paramedic, fire investigator, and a certified fire safety inspector. Additionally, he is a Hazmat Technician, an assistant fire service instructor, and an EMS continuing education instructor.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association where he chairs the Membership Committees and is a member of both the Health, Safety, and Wellness, and Marketing Committees.

Chief Kitchen is the past chairman of the EMS Advisory Committee at Rhodes State College. He also serves as a member of the Lima Allen County Safe Community Coalition, and he is the Allen County coordinator for the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Emergency Response Plan. He is the chairman of Allen County Regional Planning Safety Review Team and president of the Apollo Career Center Foundation. He also belongs to various other national, state, and local organizations.

Chief Kitchen is a member of the International Association of Fire Chief’s, National Fire Protection Agency, Vice-President of the Northwest Ohio Fire Chief’s Association, and served as President of the Allen County Fire Chief’s Association.

He believes strongly in the Rotary Club motto of “Service Above Self” and is an active member of the Lima club. Chief Kitchen serves as an advisor of the BHS Interact Club. He has dedicated much of his career to educating Bath students in the areas of fire prevention, safe driving, citizenship, and leadership. He is proud to be a Bath Wildcat and a member of the Bath Township community.

Contact information:

Joseph L. Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

Click to download press release .PDF –Media Release Kitchen Hall of Fame 2019

On Saturday, December 13, 2019, Chief Joe Kitchen was inducted into the Bath Local Schools Hall of Fame.

This is the inaugural class of Hall of Fame recipients. The six inductees were Paulett Eberhart (’71), Robert Hempker (’66), Joe Kitchen (‘88), Vicki Mauk (’76), Gretchen Prichard (teacher, coach 1958-1997), and Jerry Ward (’60).

Chief Kitchen said, “I am deeply honored by this recognition and cannot adequately express my gratitude. I will work hard to be worthy of this distinction. Thank you to the many people who have supported me and advocated for me throughout my life.”

Joe Kitchen joined the Bath Township Fire Dept. in 1990, starting as a volunteer. He served six years as lieutenant, and was appointed Fire Chief in 2002. Chief Kitchen is a graduate of the Apollo Career Center Public Safety Program, and Rhodes State College. He holds degrees in both Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science. He is a Level II firefighter, paramedic, fire investigator, and a certified fire safety inspector. Additionally, he is a Hazmat Technician, an assistant fire service instructor, and an EMS continuing education instructor.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association where he chairs the Membership Committees and is a member of both the Health, Safety, and Wellness, and Marketing Committees.

Chief Kitchen is the past chairman of the EMS Advisory Committee at Rhodes State College. He also serves as a member of the Lima Allen County Safe Community Coalition, and he is the Allen County coordinator for the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Emergency Response Plan. He is the chairman of Allen County Regional Planning Safety Review Team and president of the Apollo Career Center Foundation. He also belongs to various other national, state, and local organizations.

Chief Kitchen is a member of the International Association of Fire Chief’s, National Fire Protection Agency, Vice-President of the Northwest Ohio Fire Chief’s Association, and served as President of the Allen County Fire Chief’s Association.

He believes strongly in the Rotary Club motto of “Service Above Self” and is an active member of the Lima club. Chief Kitchen serves as an advisor of the BHS Interact Club. He has dedicated much of his career to educating Bath students in the areas of fire prevention, safe driving, citizenship, and leadership. He is proud to be a Bath Wildcat and a member of the Bath Township community.

Contact information:

Joseph L. Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

Click to download press release .PDF -Media Release Kitchen Hall of Fame 2019