Big Walnut Joint Fire District
Protecting Bennington, Chester and Harmony Townships and the
Villages of Chesterville and Marengo in Morrow County, Ohio
About Us
Who Are We?
We are a part time, paid-per-call fire department that covers a portion of southern Morrow County, Ohio.
Our First Due Area
BWJFD protects the Townships of Bennington, Chester and Harmony and the Villages of Chesterville and Marengo.
Services Provided
BWJFD provides fire suppression, vehicle extrication, surface water rescue, basic emergency medical services, hazardous material response, fire inspections, fire prevention classes,
why the name "Big Walnut"?
Aren't you guys out of Sunbury?
When we were formed in 1971, we were created out of the Marengo Fire Department and the Bennington Township Fire Brigade. They were both located in Marengo. The Ohio Revised Code says "A joint fire district so created shall be given a name different from the name of any participating township or municipal corporation" so our founding elected officials chose the name of the creek that runs through our district. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-505.371
Our Fire Stations
Marengo Fire Station 39-1
The Marengo fire station is located at 4600 State Route 229 in Marengo. It is manned 7 days a week, from 9am to 5pm.
Chesterville Fire Station 39-2
The Chesterville fire station is located at 30 South Portland St. in Chesterville. It is a paid-per-call station, it is unmanned. A replacement fire station is underway just north of the village. It is scheduled to be up and running by late 2024.
new Chesterville Station
The replacement fire station, being built on the old Chesterville school property, will be a small but modern facility. The color scheme will be in the spirit of Selover Library and Morrow Manor.
The replacement fire station will house an engine/tanker, a brush fire truck, and a fire department ambulance. The two south bays are deeper to house a modern fire truck. There will be a separate gear room. Above the office and dorm there will be a mezzanine for additional storage.
The living area will compose of a dormitory room with sleeping room for 4 firefighter/EMTs, an officer's dorm with sleeping for 1, a kitchenette, 2 unisex showers, 2 unisex bathrooms, and a dayroom / public community room.
Here is a diagram showing the footprint of the facility. There will be parking on the north side for the firefighters and any public meetings. There will be driving access to the east for additional parking and access to the ballfields.
Our Fire District
Sitting 20 miles north of the state capital of Columbus and 95 miles southwest of Cleveland, our district spreads over a total of 75 square miles that 8,232 call home. Along with our rural response, we also cover 72 lane miles of the heavily traveled Interstate 71.
employment with the big walnut joint fire district
Residents of the District
If you live within our fire district response area, we would love to bring you on the team as a "paid per call" employee. You would respond from home as the volunteers did from years ago, but we pay you $18.00 per run. If you reside in our area, will pay for your basic fire training. Once you complete all preliminary training, you may either respond from home or elect to work day shifts with us.
Non residents of the District
We would love to have you as a member too! We staff our Marengo fire station from 9 am to 5pm with (2) firefighters. You are required to have your Ohio Level II fire certification to be considered for employment.
Do I have to have an EMT Certification to work for BWJFD?
EMT certifications are preferred, but not a requirement. We do have an EMS program, but we are not the primary EMS service in Morrow County.
The Hiring Process
Once you print out and fill out an application, you need to bring it in to our Station 39-1 at 4600 State Route 229. If you meet the criteria, we will contact you for a preliminary interview with the fire chief. Once you make it though the interview, you may be recommended to the Fire Board for hiring.
Probationary Period
Once you begin your employment, you will be placed on a probationary status. You will be required to complete our Mentor Program. This program educates you on how our fire district operates. You will become familiar with our trucks, gear, SCBA, tools, SOPs, radios, mutual aid agencies, and more. Once you complete the Mentor Program, you are promoted to Active Duty and may be considered as staffing or take runs from home.
Where to Find an Application
Go to our DOWNLOADS section and find an application.