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

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 the dates of which will be determined at a later date.

Newport’s fire and EMS department closed in 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.

“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.

He said they were lucky to obtain their original building, vehicles and equipment after it had closed in 2023. The EMS service 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 State Route 7 Newport.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/people/Newport-Volunteer-Fire-Dept/61569471051247/?sk=about for more information.