NILES, Ohio - City officials say they want to make sure the fire department never again chooses not to fight a fire because the blaze is outside city limits.
Last week, firefighters watched from their trucks for several minutes as a house burned after they made sure no one was trapped.
They were dispatched to the fire because it originally was thought to have been in Niles. However, the house was in the McKinley Heights area, which is part of Weathersfield Township. Firefighters from Weathersfield Township eventually put out the fire.
Niles fire Capt. Randy Ciminero, who was the ranking officer at the time of the fire, said the city did not have a mutual aid agreement with Weathersfield. The fire chief was out of town on the day of the fire.
On Wednesday, Tom Telego, Nile's emergency management coordinator, said the cities have since approved a mutual aid agreement, which means they can help each other if firefighters end up in the same situation.
And we hope to establish one with every community who borders us
Telego said.
Niles officials continued their investigation into last week's decision and a report is expected next week.
Mayor Ralph A. Infante said he thinks the fire department has unfairly been cast in a bad light. 17
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