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

The Bath Township Fire Department is pleased to announce that they have received $50,185.71

in funding from the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Bath Township is required to provide a 5% match in the amount of $2,509.29, for a total amount of $52,695.00 for the project.

The funds will be used to purchase extrication equipment and related rescue tools. This equipment is used to remove victims who are trapped in vehicles due to motor vehicle crashes.

Additionally, it is used for industrial and agricultural emergencies.

Chief Joe Kitchen said, “This grant will allow us to procure much needed tools and equipment to help our fire & EMS personnel to do their jobs as quickly and efficiently as possible. When seconds matter, these tools could make all the difference.”

The Department of Homeland Security is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.)

Contact information:

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

Click to download press release .PDF –Media Release FEMA Grant 2019

Bath Township Fire Department personnel will be conducting spring fire hydrant maintenance and flushing on all township hydrants beginning Thursday, May 16, 2019. Testing will last about three to four weeks.

Residents may notice discoloration of water when the flushing takes place in their neighborhood. If you experience a discoloration of water, turn on your plumbing fixtures until the water runs clear. It is best to run an outdoor fixture, or a cold-water tap in a laundry tub or bathtub first until the water runs clear and then run water from other fixtures.

The fire department realizes that hydrant flushing may cause some inconvenience, however, the flushing program is necessary to maintain a good water supply for firefighting and to ensure that the hydrants are in good working order. The community’s cooperation with the annual fire hydrant flushing program is greatly appreciated.

Contact information:
Joseph L. Kitchen, Bath Township Fire Chief: 419-221-0550
Denny Wilkins, Road Supervisor: 419-221-1797

At 11:41 AM on Sunday, April 28, 2019, the Bath Twp. Fire Department responded to the Dana Corporation at 777 Bible Rd. Lima Ohio, 45801 for a report of a structure fire.

Upon arrival firefighters, were told by employees that a fire had started in a piece of equipment and had spread to the ceiling of the building.

Bath firefighters had the fire contained within approximately 15 minutes. The plant was fully evacuated per its internal safety procedures.

There were no injuries to Dana employees or responding firefighters.

Lima Fire Department was called for mutual aid for their ladder truck. Units were on the scene for approximately an hour.

Contact – Chief Joseph Kitchen – 419-221-0550

Bath Township Fire Department responded to a 9-1-1 report of a mobile home on fire this morning at 1912 E. Elm St. Lot #30, Lima, Ohio 45804.

Upon arrival, units observed heavy fire and smoke conditions. The trailer is owned by Offenbacher MHC LLC., of Wapakoneta, Ohio and was being leased by David Gipson. No one was home at the time of the fire.

The trailer home is total loss with an estimated value of 5,000.00 to the structure and $10,000 to the contents. Mr. Gipson advised that he did not have renter’s insurance. All of the interior contents of the trailer were destroyed by the fire.

The family of two adults and eight children is being assisted by the Allen County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

No occupants or firefighters were injured. The exact cause of the fire is unknown at this time and remains under investigation.

Bath Township Fire Department crews remained on the scene for about two hours.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550

Bath Township Fire Department responded to a second alarm structure fire located at 1201 Neubrecht Road, Lima, Ohio, in Bath Township at 9:06 P.M., on 4/4/19. This address is the location of the former Lima Inn Motel which has been closed for about two years.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and flames coming from two of the motel rooms on the rear of the building.

The rooms involved suffered heat, smoke, and water damage. It took firefighters about 1 and ½ hours to fully extinguish the fire which was reported by a passerby who dialed 9-1-1.

The property is owned by 1201 Neubrecht Rd Property LLC of Mentor, Ohio. Fire department officials have been unable to contact the owners but have confirmed that the property is uninsured.

The fire department has responded to this location due to the building being on fire on several previous occasions over the past year. Bath Twp. Fire Department officials have been working with the State Fire Marshal’s Office Investigative Bureau and the Blue Ribbon Arson Commission.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation, and is considered to be suspicious. Anyone with information about the fire should call the fire department at 419-221-0550 or Lima/Allen County Crime Stoppers at 419-229-7867

No fire department personnel were injured.

Contact person: Joseph Kitchen, Fire Chief: 419-221-0550