Empower
Growth
The North Lawrence Fire Department was formed and incorporated in 1956 by a group of community members.
After a house burned to its foundation in 1955 community members and business leaders put together plans to create a fire department. The department officially incorporated on April 19th 1956 and was funded by fundraisers, collecting Ohio Tax and Green stamps, once enough money was raised the department purchased it's first fire engine: a 1937 Ford pumper which is still owned and maintained by the department to this day.
Progress
The fire department received a donation of property at 4052 Alabama Ave NW in 1958. This station had 2 bays for the apparatus and in 1960 an ambulance was added to the apparatus fleet, it being the first in the area.
​
In the early 1960's an addition was built onto the station that would hold the departments bingo hall which was and continues to be one of the major financial incomes for the department.
Finally in 1996 three additional bays were added to the station for more fire apparatus.
Success
In 2010 the department added 24hr paid staff to our dedicated volunteers to ensure quick, capable and effective response when residents and visitors need our help.
​
Currently we provide a paid ALS crew of two people 24hrs a day 7 days a week supplemented by dozens of part-time and volunteer fire and EMS professionals.
With our empowering history and great members we provide centuries of combined knowledge in volunteer and career firefighting. Including multiple members who have served the North Lawrence Fire Department 65-70 continuous years.
​
Our story doesn't end there, we continue daily to grow, progress and succeed in support of the North Lawrence Communities needs for Fire, EMS and Rescue services.
Tradition
You will find the word "Bowdil" on all of the departments apparatus,
many ask why?
This comes from The Bowdil Co. which began its mining business in North Lawrence and at one point the town took on the name of Bowdil, Ohio. When a fire destroyed the companies facility the company moved to Canton, Ohio. Once the company had left the name of the town reverted back to North Lawrence but the Bowdil name lives on through the fire department.
​
Community
The community is the backbone of any fire department and ours is the best and strongest. We are blessed with a great community that has always and continues to provided unwavering support!
We feel it is our duty as a public service organization to ensure our actions and decisions are made in best interest of our community.
Our Community includes but is not limited to Tuscarawas and Lawrence Township in Stark County and Baughman Township in Wayne County.
We can never be thankful enough!
Leadership
Fire Command Staff
Fire Officers are our senior operational emergency mitigation, planning and response personnel. They are in control of the the departments operations, emergency response, pre-incident planning, equipment and resource allocation.
Executive Committee
Executive Officers are our senior business, finance and sustainability personnel. They are in control of the the departments business operations, legal compliance, financials, fundraising, contracting, equipment and resource acquisition.
