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Big Walnut Joint Fire District

Big Walnut Joint Fire DistrictBig Walnut Joint Fire DistrictBig Walnut Joint Fire District

Protecting Bennington, Chester and Harmony Townships and the 

Villages of Chesterville and Marengo in Morrow County, Ohio

Contact Us via Email

Big Walnut Joint Fire District

Big Walnut Joint Fire DistrictBig Walnut Joint Fire DistrictBig Walnut Joint Fire District

Protecting Bennington, Chester and Harmony Townships and the 

Villages of Chesterville and Marengo in Morrow County, Ohio

Contact Us via Email

About Us

Firefighters in full gear extinguishing a fire inside a building.

Who Are We?

We are a part time, paid-per-call fire department that covers a portion of southern Morrow County, Ohio. 

Two red fire trucks parked side by side under a clear sky.

Our First Due Area

BWJFD protects the Townships of Bennington, Chester and Harmony and the Villages of Chesterville and Marengo.  

Firefighters and a Santa figure pose with a Harmony Township sign and fire trucks.

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 3673 North Portland St, Chesterville. It is staffed on call only.

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. 

Our Apparatus

1/6

Fire Board Meeting Schedule

The public are always welcome and encouraged to attend any and all meetings.

June 11, 2026

Fire Board Meeting

7pm

-

10pm

Event Details

June 11, 2026

Fire Board Meeting

3673 North Portland St., Chesterville

7pm

-

10pm

July 9, 2026

Fire Board Meeting

7pm

-

10pm

Event Details

July 9, 2026

Fire Board Meeting

4600 State Route 229, Marengo

7pm

-

10pm

August 13, 2026

Fire Board Meeting

7pm

-

10pm

Event Details

August 13, 2026

Fire Board Meeting

3673 North Portland St., Chesterville

7pm

-

10pm

September 10, 2026

Fire Board Meeting

7pm

-

10pm

Event Details

September 10, 2026

Fire Board Meeting

4600 State Route 229, Marengo

7pm

-

10pm

October 8, 2026

Fire Board Meeting

7pm

-

10pm

Event Details

October 8, 2026

Fire Board Meeting

3673 North Portland St., Chesterville

7pm

-

10pm

More Events

Emergency Scenes

    Our Training

      Public Relations Activities

        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.

        Files and Downloads

        BWJFD employment application 2023 (pdf)Download
        BWJFD BOP EMS license 2023-2025 (pdf)Download
        bwjfd charter 1971 (pdf)Download
        2023-1 BWJFD Fee Schedule for Inspections, Permits, Fees (pdf)Download
        Big Walnut Fire and Harmony Township fire tax rates (pdf)Download

        click here for our facebook page

        • Contact

        Big Walnut Joint Fire District

        4600 State Route 229, Marengo, Ohio 43334

        419 253-2222

        Copyright © 2024 Big Walnut Joint Fire District - All Rights Reserved. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. 

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