Academic Club

Public Announcement - Fire Dept. Escorting School Competition Events


Jan 23, 2017
Category: Administration
Posted by: Anonymous

The Kalida Fire and Police Departments wish to inform residents that changes have been made to the routes taken by High School tournament sports teams, including band and cheerleading, when they come into town from tournament or competition sites. In the past, the team buses would come through the traffic caution light on the Village Square and then circle the block and stop on State Route 114 in front of the Post Office. The Mayor of Kalida, Superintendent of Kalida Schools, and the Kalida Fire and Police Chief have been made aware of a couple close incidents where children were almost hit by vehicles travelling through the downtown square in Kalida while people were celebrating. Some of the changes made have been approved by the above listed and will be implemented going forward.

The Kalida Fire Department will escort teams into town only if they have enough manpower. Citizens will be asked to help with the escort as far as crowd control on the Square. If not enough help is available for this, the fire department will only escort the team bus into town and directly to the school. Volunteers will be asked to meet at the fire station to be briefed on what to do. If enough help is available, the escort and team bus will now be stopping on East Main Street in front of the Pizzeria/Kahle Feed Mill. If the escort comes from the East or South (Findlay or Lima) they will come into town and turn left onto Fourth Street and then right onto East Main Street. If coming from the North (Defiance) they will come in on St. Rt. 115 and turn left onto East North Street then right onto Fourth Street and then right onto East Main. From the West (Van Wert) the will come into town and turn right onto Water Street, then left onto Fourth Street, and then left onto East Main Street. The buses will not be travelling though the caution light on the square as this was the spot that 2 separate instances on the same night of young kids who were almost struck by cars travelling through the intersection. After the escort leaves to return to the school, volunteers will be asked to help clean up the area of litter as it should not be the sole responsibility of the Village of Kalida employees to clean up the next morning. No sirens will be activated after 11:00 p.m. We want this spontaneous event to be as safe as possible for our kids and we believe this new route will help achieve this as long as cooperation of parents and spectators is present and keeping a watchful eye on children.

Dale Schulte- Fire Chief
Jim Gulker- Police Chief
Alan Gerdeman- Mayor
Karl Lammers- Superintendent


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