The Newport EMS vehicle with the new logo along the side. (Photo provided by Justin Tidd)

NEWPORT – The Newport Volunteer Fire Department is holding a hiring event from noon to 4 p.m. on March 7 at the fire station for individuals interested in positions in the EMS department.

There are full- and part-time positions available along with volunteer hours at the station.

Individuals interested in EMS can attend classes and the dates of the classes will be determined at a later date.

Newport’s fire and EMS department closed October 2023 but the township trustees had reopened the fire department about a year ago.

Newport EMS Treasurer Justin Tidd said township trustees control what services they decide on and pay for. He said the fire department is controlled entirely by the township trustees.

The front of the Newport EMS vehicle with an updated logo. (Photo provided by Justin Tidd)

“For the EMS side of things, the service would cost the township a lot of money for the roles because they would be considered public employees,” said Tidd.

He said it’s typical for townships to control some services and contract others so the EMS department entered a contract with a provider and it would be considered a nonprofit organization for the township.

Tidd said they’re looking for four full-time personnel to cover 12-hour shifts for three days a week, or the equivalent of four full-time workers and individuals who could cover shifts as needed.

“We’re also in a mutual-aid agreement with the surrounding communities,” said Tidd.

He said in the event of an emergency in Reno or New Matamoras, they would be able to assist.

The new logo for the City of Newport’s EMS department. (Image provided by Justin Tidd)

He said they were lucky to obtain their original building, vehicles and equipment after it had closed in 2023. The EMS department has recently updated its logo.

“We’ll have signup sheets available so anyone who is interested can attend the classes,” he said.

Tidd wanted to thank the Reno, Grandview, and Little Muskingum Volunteer Fire Departments for helping out the community of Newport while they were shut down.

The Newport Volunteer Fire Department is at 38350 SR-7 Newport.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/ykpjefp9 for more information.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com