How you got here: Police/Fire

Amberley Village has one of only 30 consolidated police and fire departments in the country, in which all officers are state-certified in both law enforcement and firefighting.   Though less common, this system works well for Amberley, because it provides for quick and knowledgeable response to any emergency and makes most effective use of Village resources.  

 

When it was established in 1941, the Police and Fire Department consisted of 5 officers and a part-time Chief.   The Department has grown in size and stature since this humble beginning, and the personnel complement is currently 17 sworn officers and 4 civilian dispatcher/clerks.     The current rank structure is 1 Police/Fire Chief, 4 Police/Fire Lieutenants, 1 Police/Fire Sergeant, 1 Detective, 10 Patrolman/Firefighters along with the 4 civilian dispatcher/clerks.

 

Although life squad and paramedic services are provided to the Village through contracts with outside agencies, all Amberley officers are classified as “first responders,” which means that they are trained in first aid, CPR and use of the automatic external defibrillator (AED).   Each cruiser is equipped with an AED. Every Police Officer/Firefighter is also a trained 911 Dispatcher.   This combination of expertise minimizes Village expenditures and maximizes response to the citizens of Amberley.

 

Officers also have specialized duties.   Selected personnel are classified as investigators, evidence technicians, school resource officers, fire inspectors, intoxilyzer officers, crime prevention officers, auto accident experts and so on.   However, the underlying strength of the Department remains premised upon our philosophy of cross training in the basics of all services.   The consolidation approach has been successful for the Amberley Village community, providing our citizens with one of the safest and most secure communities in Ohio.