The Port Clinton Fire Department includes people from a wide variety of backgrounds who bring unique skills to emergency service. (Submitted photo)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Port Clinton Fire & Rescue brings a paradoxical advantage to community safety. The department passed an ordinance that required all members of the department – including EMS personnel – to be firefighter certified by Jan. 1, 2026. The requirement created consistency across the roster, which includes full-time, part-time and volunteer EMS and firefighters. But at the same time, the volunteers bring diverse skills to the department, creating a wider scope of service to the community.

That paradox of consistency and diversity creates a higher level of safety for local residents.

Volunteer firefighter Amber Gardner wears her gear during a training exercise. She brings leadership skills and a feminine touch to the department. (Submitted photo)

The volunteer firefighters come from a wide range of professions, so they contribute unique skills to the department. The roster includes business owners, military veterans, government officials, and carpenters. Port Clinton Fire Chief Brian Gutman was surprised to learn how much that diversity impacts fire safety.

“It was a real eye-opener when I came here to Port Clinton,” he said. “For example, I have a lieutenant who has years of experience with HVAC. When we go on a gas or carbon monoxide call, I lean on him and his experience to track down where the leak might be.”

Gutman said a new volunteer firefighter owns a construction business.

“He’s a wealth of information on homes, such as finding void spaces – places where fire might travel to,” Gutman said.

Eric Zgodzinski, left, and Chris Enoch both bring vast experience and skills to the fire department. (Submitted photo)

Ottawa County Clerk of Courts Christopher Enoch became a volunteer firefighter in 2021, continued training, and now has EMT Basic 1 certification. His legal and leadership background allow him to offer specific skills to the department.

“I’m the quasi-public affairs guy,” Enoch said. “I have a knack for problem-solving, advocacy, and administration. Protocols come natural to me. I’m well-adapted to follow the rules of the road.”

The diverse skills of the volunteers complement each other, creating a well-rounded department.

“The volunteers have a wide variety of backgrounds,” Enoch said. “Some have mechanical aptitudes and can fix anything. Some understand engineering.”

Some of the volunteers have military backgrounds.

“They understand the nature of command, stress tolerance, and decision-making when things get chaotic,” Enoch said.

Having a roster of firefighters with various backgrounds creates a well-rounded department. (Submitted photo)

Eric Zgodzinski is the former Toledo-Lucas County Health Commissioner. He said he joined the department “at a more mature age” and brings skills that are “different from the fire side.” His experience helps create a stronger foundation for the department.

“In my travels in public health, I’ve dealt with the medical side, with disaster preparedness, and with leadership. It was a cross-section of many things,” he said. “I bring experience in logistics, human resources, policy development, and an understanding of how government operates.”

The focus of public health is prevention, and under Gutman’s leadership the fire department has renewed its efforts toward prevention, including the implementation of building inspections. Zgodzinski has experience with restaurant inspections at the health department, so he understands the necessity to communicate and assist with compassion when problems are identified in buildings.

“It’s about working together,” he said.

Amber Gardner is an entrepreneur who owns The Clean Team, so she brings leadership skills to the department. As one of the few females on the roster, she also is able to bring a soft side to difficult situations.

“Being a business owner and a leader, I know how to talk to people in difficult situations. When there’s a fire, I’m the one comforting them as they’re standing there watching their house burn down,” she said.

Gardner is also an approachable face for kids in the community, which helps children become familiar with firefighters before there is an emergency.

“I’m big, big into our community and into teaching safety to kids,” she said. “I can wear my gear and say, ‘Do I look scary? Do you know Oakley? This is her mom under here.’”

With all of their differences, the firefighters have one strong bond: that desire to serve the community that Gardner talked about.

“Our common denominator is community contribution,” Enoch said. “We all have a borderline crazy love for our city.”