JOHNSTOWN, Ohio — Intel's move to Ohio could do more than put pressure on the housing and transportation industries. It may also add weight to first responders. 

What You Need To Know

  • Intel is expected to create 3,000 more jobs in manufacturing, 7,000 in construction and about 10,000 indirect jobs

  • More jobs mean more people and more runs for first responders

  • Monroe Township Fire explains plans to expand to meet the growing population

  • Intel said the plants won't be operational until 2027 or 2028

Dudley Wright has been fire chief at Monroe Township for 24 years.

“I really enjoy the fire service,” Chief Wright said, “because it’s an opportunity to help people.”

But the job is changing — Intel is expected to create 3,000 more jobs in manufacturing, 7,000 in construction and about 10,000 indirect jobs.

More jobs mean more people and more runs.

“We’re going from a small-town community with some industrial base, to a lot of industrial bases." Wright said. "So, it changes the kind of incidents we see. It will create more volume of calls for us. Yeah, it’s going to be different.”

Chief Wright explained Intel falls directly within the jurisdiction of Monroe Township Fire. It’s a big undertaking, but people's safety, he says, is most important. 

“We want to make sure that as our community grows, that we’re being proactive and getting ready to serve those people,” Wright said.

The chief said expansion is necessary. 

“We’re working on, you know, more resources, more people, different equipment, those kinds of things,” Wright said. “But we also have great mutual aid partners in our surrounding fire and EMS agencies, so we do respond as a team.”

That raises the question—would the Monroe Township Fire Department be enough to handle a potential fire at the chip manufacturer? 

“There are very few fire departments to respond to a major commercial fire by themselves,” he said. “That’s why we’re so fortunate to have a great working relationship with our neighbors. We would get outside help. I think there will be other funding sources that will be required. Fire and EMS is definitely a team process.” 

Intel said the plants won't be operational until 2027 or 2028. Meanwhile, Monroe Township Fire anxiously ​waits for what's to come, preparing as best they can. 

"It's important that we get ahead of the growth in the community because everything takes time. Hiring and training employees takes time,” Wright said. “It's important to have enough resources so that when someone needs help, you know, there's somebody to respond."

Chief Wright said some of the additions they're looking at include a larger ladder truck and more specialized equipment for responding to industrial accidents. 

Related Stories