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Aurora, CO Experts in Container Rental, Sales & Customization

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Southwest Mobile Storage - Best Mobile Storage & Office Containers In Aurora, CO

Southwest Mobile Storage is a family-owned shipping container business founded in 1995. Our strength for more than 25 years comes from the specialized knowledge and passion of our people, along with serving over 24,000 commercial, construction and residential customers. Our facility and expertise in maintaining, manufacturing, and delivering corrugated steel containers is unrivaled in the industry.

While the rental side of our business is regional with branches throughout the Southwest, our container sales and modification operations are nationwide and becoming global. Aurora, CO offers a wide selection of portable offices and mobile storage containers you can rent, buy or modify.

Our experts in container rental, sales and customization are committed to providing you the highest quality and best experience from service to delivery - our reputation depends on it.

Whether your need is for storage, office space, moving, multi-purpose or custom use, we've got your back. Here's how:

Storage Containers Aurora, CO
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What Clients Say About Us

NO MATTER YOUR NEED, WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK.

STORE AT YOUR LOCATION

We bring your storage container to you for convenient, easy access at your home, business or jobsite. Plus, you'll get more choice in storage space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of a pod or add on building, saving money and energy.

STORE AT OUR LOCATION

Not enough room to keep a storage container at your business, home or construction site? No problem - we can store it for you. Plus, you get 70% more space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of public storage units.

CUSTOM STORAGE

Need a permanent storage solution for your business, residence or construction? We sell new and used shipping containers in many sizes with a variety of add-ons. Or customize a container to your specific storage needs with our certified fabrication experts.

LOCAL MOVE

Take your time packing with our moving containers. We'll deliver to your business or home and pick it up whenever you're ready to move. So, you don't have to stress about moving or making multiple trips in one day, like if you rented a moving truck.

LONG-DISTANCE MOVE

Our moving container solutions ensure the long-distance move of your home or business is highly efficient and affordable throughout the southwest. In fact, we usually cost 20%-40% less than full-service movers.

MOVING & STORAGE

We understand move-in and move-out dates might be different. We can store your moving container at our highly secure facilities until you're ready to move to your new home or business location, and you can conveniently access it at any time.

OFFICE USE

Whether you need a workspace, conference room, or other office requirement, our ground-mounted mobile offices meet any and all of your business needs. Plus, it's faster and easier than building additions.

BUSINESS USE

If you need your shipping container to serve multiple uses, such as office-storage combos, breakrooms and even utilities, we've got you covered. We'll modify a custom container to fit your business needs and bring your business to the next level

CUSTOM USE

We'll create a custom container to fit your unique needs anywhere in the US. With our container modification expertise, we make any idea a reality. From pop-up stores to multi-story structures, our unrivaled facilities and fabrication experts do it all.

You'll get your own dedicated storage and container expert to serve as your one point of contact for easy, convenient service you can trust.
With our wide selection of intermodal containers for sale and rent, you'll find exactly what you need, from size, to type and condition.
We maintain our rental fleet to the highest standard - our integrity depends on it.
Our certified, experienced Conex container modification experts have more than 500 years combined experience modifying ISO containers.
All of our containers come with high security dual-locking system for no additional charge, so you can rest assured your stored items stay safe and that you don't have to pay extra for it.
icon-scale
At our unrivaled 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility, ensuring your custom shipping container is made exactly to your specifications.
With our level of service, quality and expertise, you won't find a better value anywhere else.
Our portable offices include lighting and electrical outlets, internet hookups, HVAC and were crafted by our in-house steel container fabrication experts for top-quality construction.

Premium Quality - High Security

With Southwest Mobile Storage, you get much more than a POD or typical Conex box. You also get high security, unparalleled service and unmatched container modification expertise and facilities. No other company offers that much.

Shipping containers and storage containers come in a range of sizes. The most common external lengths are 20ft and 40ft with a width of 8ft. ISO Containers are typically 8ft 6in tall, but high cube containers are 9ft 6in tall. We also have steel containers in a variety of sizes from 10ft long to 45ft long to rent or buy, and we can modify shipping containers into any size you want.

 Rent Storage Containers Aurora, CO

SMS Mobile Storage Containers have these high quality features:

1/8" thick steel plate bottom side rails
High strength steel supporting cross members
1 1/8" thick hardwood floor with galvanized self-tapping screws
16-gauge corrugated steel walls
16-gauge roof
270-degree swing cargo door(s)
High security dual-locking system*
Spot-grinded, primed & repainted with a beige high-grade water reducible alkyd direct-to-metal enamel*
* Comes standard on all rental units

SMS portable workspace containers have these structural features:

High security window bars, lever & deadbolt set with lock box
Studs & R-19 Insulation covered with wood paneling
1 1/8" marine board floor is covered with a durable single part gray epoxy coating
Dual pane low-E horizontal sliding windows with screens and miniblinds
18 Gauge steel polystyrene core 3-hour fire rated personnel door
All of our workspaces are manufactured in-house and arrive new or restored to factory specifications
Exterior load center operating on 100 Amp single phase 230 Volt power
Light switch, receptacles and 4' light fixtures; all wiring is Romex 12/2
CAT-6 voice and data lines with electrical junction box
HVAC units ranging from 1 ton to 2 ton on rentals; ability to customize up to 10 tons of cooling

Having flexible storage containers options is important, but security is crucial to protect your peace of mind and your possessions.

At Southwest Mobile Storage, we don't believe in leaving things to chance. We want you to rest easy knowing your inventory, documents, tools, equipment and other items are safe 24/7. That is why we equip SMS high-security slide bolt locking systems and lockboxes on our entire fleet of rental freight containers.

EVERY ONE OF OUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR RENT IN Aurora, CO, INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES:

High-security slide-bolt locking system and extra-long lock box, giving you twice the security and peace of mind.
No holes to ensure your rental shipping container is wind and water-tight.
No rust for your safety.
14-gauge corrugated steel for strength and reinforcement.

Contact us to speak with a helpful, friendly representative to better understand our full range of capabilities. We are happy to answer any questions you have, go over pricing and set up a time and place to deliver your Conex box. Our quotes are 100% free and you are under no obligation to pay for your consultation.

COMMERCIAL STORAGE CONTAINERS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN Aurora, CO

When you own a business or manage one, it's crucial to have efficient, affordable ways to store inventory and supplies, whether it's to grow your business or adapt to changes in the market, like the many caused by the pandemic.

Renting storage containers to keep at your business eliminates the cost and hassles of sending your staff to offsite storage facilities. Steel containers with roll up doors make storing and retrieving items faster and easier. Auto repair shops and other businesses that need easy access throughout the workday to secure storage for tools, parts, equipment or supplies find renting shipping containers to be the best solution for their business storage needs. Southwest Mobile Storage has your back.

 Storage Containers For Rent Aurora, CO

Renting portable offices gives your business more workspace, breakrooms, pop up stores, security booths and more, without the cost and red tape associated with constructing building additions. Plus, a steel storage container fits neatly into one parking space and provides much stronger security than Pods and way more convenience than self-storage units.

If you have a specific need, we can modify shipping containers to build whatever you need to grow your business. Whether it's a portable workspace to run your business, like a pop-up container bar, or a durable facility for scientific research, like a container laboratory, or even a container gym, our unrivaled fabrication facility and modification experts got you covered. Our full-time, in-house staff of certified welders, engineers, electricians, carpenters and painters have over 500 years combined experience modifying thousands of container projects for just about any business use you can imagine.

WHETHER YOUR BUSINESS IS COMMERCIAL, HEALTHCARE, GOVERNMENT OR EDUCATION, OR YOUR INTEREST IS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY SHIPPING CONTAINERS, SMS HAS YOU COVERED:

One
Offsite storage alternatives cause a mess of hassles and headaches. Expanding office space and storage capacity at your location saves time, money and hassle of making multiple trips offsite.
We offer more choice in security, size and features in steel Conex boxes or ISO shipping containers than a public storage unit or Pod for less cost and far greater service.
We offer flexible, month-to-month rental agreements and prorate by the day after your first 28-day billing cycle.
With us, you get a dedicated account manager you can rely on, so you can focus on running your business than waste time with a different person every time you call that doesn't know or care as much.
While other companies may have some staff for modifying containers, most outsource the work, so you don't know who is actually doing the modifications or how much they're marking up the price.
 Mobile Storage Containers Aurora, CO
When you modify a shipping container for your business, you won't have to worry about expensive, lengthy and complicated construction.
We have modified thousands of containers nationwide and internationally for more than 25 years for NASA, US Navy, GCP Applied Technologies, Helix and Sundt to name a few. And rent containers to Amazon, Walmart and many of other nationally recognized brands.
Our extensive staff makes it possible to custom build multiple projects simultaneously and our 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility prevents contaminants from interfering with fabrication, which delivers better quality and precision.

HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE US TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY A SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR YOUR HOME:

With an extensive in-house staff and 90,000 sq ft container modification facility, we're able to deliver consistently high quality and work on multiple projects simultaneously for a fast turnaround.

Other companies don't have the facility, staff or resources to modify shipping containers and will outsource the work to various shops who may not have the special experience or tools needed to modify the right way.

You can rest assured knowing your custom container is safe in our hands. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications through every step of the process.

Renting a moving container from us makes your move much less stressful because you won't have to rush to pack your whole house into a moving truck in one day. Instead, you can take your time packing over the course of a month.

Our ISO shipping containers are weatherproof and come with vault-like security, so you don't have to worry about theft or damage to your belongings.

You won't get that level of security from U-Haul or other moving truck companies.

Renting a storage container at your home keeps your belongings close and gives you convenient 24/7 access, so you're always able to retrieve the contents of your container when you need to.

We know move in and move out dates don't always line up. We can store your packed rental container at our secure facility until your new home is ready.

With our mobile storage containers for rent in Aurora, CO, you can save up to 40% when compared to full-service long-distance movers, while gaining more flexibility in your schedule.

MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS & PORTABLE OFFICES TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN Aurora, CO

We know your needs may change suddenly. With our extensive inventory and variety of sizes of portable offices and shipping containers to rent, buy or modify in Aurora, CO, we provide fast service and the best value possible so it's easy for you to get whatever you need when you need it.

Renting storage containers and portable offices from us gives you more flexibility when it comes to your schedule and options. If you don't have enough space at your current location or simply would prefer offsite storage, you can keep your rental storage and office containers at your location or ours - whichever is most convenient for you. You also get more options to choose from when it comes to size and features, like portable offices with divided rooms for private meetings or office/storage combos for storage and office space in one container. All while costing a fraction of the price of a pod or self-storage facility.

You can also buy new or used freight containers from us and choose from a variety of add-ons, including lights, electricity, doors and windows. Or fully customize a shipping container to save time, money and energy by skipping the expensive, lengthy process of constructing building additions. We can modify a Conex box into whatever you can imagine for any use you need, from construction tool cribs to office buildings, monitoring stations, mobile communication towers and much more. The possibilities are endless.

HERE'S HOW WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK:

You'll never face hidden fees or surprises with us. We give you transparent billing up front at the best prices.

With us, you get a reliable, dedicated point of contact, who keeps you updated every step of the way. You can rest assured knowing you'll always get what you need, when you need it.

No other company has the breadth and depth of staff and experience that we do when it comes to modifying shipping containers. Our certified welders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters have more than 500 years of combined experience in fabricating custom steel containers.

We prorate your rent by the day after the first 28-day billing cycle, so you don't have to pay for a full month when you only have your mobile containers and offices for a few days.

While other companies may be able to do small container modifications, most don't have an in-house fabrication staff or 90,000 sq ft fabrication facility like we do. As a result, they outsource the work on your custom container, so you don't know who's actually building it.

Rest assured knowing your modified shipping container will be built to the highest quality standards. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors check every step of the fabrication process to ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

Whether you're in need of a storage container for your commercial business, a portable office for your construction site, or a moving container for your home, our process is simple and straightforward.

Choose Your Container

Choose the mobile storage solution that works best for your needs. In this step, you will let us know the number of containers you need, their sizes and what types of doors to equip.

Choose Your Options

Let us know if you would like to add any of our rental options, like a folding table or shelving.

Choose Your Security

Choose from padlocks, puck locks and other enhanced security options. All of our storage containers come standard with dual-locking, vault-like security.

Choose Your Delivery Timeframe

You can expect standard delivery within 3-5 days of your order. If you need expedited delivery, we will do everything in our power to accommodate your needs.

Pick-Up Planning

Do you need to keep your shipping container at our location? Prefer to have our team deliver your packed container to a location of your choice? Let us know, and we'll be by your side to work out the logistics.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

1

DETERMINE DESTINATION

Let our team know where we should deliver your mobile storage container for rent in Aurora, CO. Be sure to let us know if there are any special conditions that might prevent our drivers from entering your chosen destination. Before you schedule your delivery, let us know which direction you would like the doors of your container to face.

2

SCHEDULE DATE & TIME

Our drivers can deliver your storage container Monday-Friday, between the hours of 6AM and 2PM local time. Our two-hour delivery window is the most precise in the industry. If you desire another delivery time outside of our standard delivery options, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As a courtesy, our driver will call you at least 30 minutes before they arrive at your drop-off destination.

3

PREPARE FOR YOUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINER DELIVERY

Before we deliver your Conex box, prepare your delivery area by ensuring that there are no low overhangs, arches, wires, trees or any other obstacles that could interfere with your delivery. It's a good idea to mark the space where you would like your steel container placed.

4

DELIVERY & SETUP

When our driver arrives, they will back our truck into the space where you would like your shipping container placed. Once we arrive, we will ensure that your container is delivered safely and securely. If placed on asphalt or pavement, we will use wood dunnage pads to make sure your ground surface is protected and the container is level.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MOBILE CONTAINERS TO Rent, Buy OR Modify IN Aurora, CO?

Check out our FAQ page or reach out to our helpful customer service team today @

303.227.3881

Latest News in Aurora, CO

New brewery opens near Stanley Marketplace

Ross Koenigs and his wife Amy opened their new brewery, Second Dawn Brewing Co., in a 5,100-square-foot space at 2302 Dayton St. last month.Credit: breakingthewalls - stock.adobe.cAURORA, Colo — Aurora has gained a new brewery located a block east of the Stanley Marketplace, and its name is a nod to the city itself.Ross Koenigs and his wife Amy opened their new brewery, Second Dawn Brewing Co., in a 5,10...

Ross Koenigs and his wife Amy opened their new brewery, Second Dawn Brewing Co., in a 5,100-square-foot space at 2302 Dayton St. last month.

Credit: breakingthewalls - stock.adobe.c

AURORA, Colo — Aurora has gained a new brewery located a block east of the Stanley Marketplace, and its name is a nod to the city itself.

Ross Koenigs and his wife Amy opened their new brewery, Second Dawn Brewing Co., in a 5,100-square-foot space at 2302 Dayton St. last month.

The name pays homage to its location in Aurora, which is Latin for “dawn,” and also alludes to happy hour as a person’s time to reawaken after a day of work, according to Koenigs.

Koenigs previously spent 11 years as a brewer and research and development manager at New Belgium Brewing Co., developing recipes for Voodoo Ranger and other beers.

Koenigs had always wanted to own his own brewery, but during the pandemic, Koenigs found himself getting more serious about taking action on the goal.

> Read the full story at the Denver Business Journal.

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Colorado Guide

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Aurora borealis made a rare appearance in Colorado, setting skies ablaze

In the wee hours of Sunday night into early Monday morning, a powerful solar eruption set skies in the United States ablaze with a rare Northern Lights appearance.The National Weather Service tweeted that Sunday's rare show, which was photographed in Colorado and Washington, was one of the best chances in a long time to see the aurora borealis, or the northern lights, thanks to clear skies and a strong geomagn...

In the wee hours of Sunday night into early Monday morning, a powerful solar eruption set skies in the United States ablaze with a rare Northern Lights appearance.

The National Weather Service tweeted that Sunday's rare show, which was photographed in Colorado and Washington, was one of the best chances in a long time to see the aurora borealis, or the northern lights, thanks to clear skies and a strong geomagnetic storm.

The phenomenon is always present near the poles, but large solar flares can cause the lights to occasionally show up in the continental U.S.

Local meteorologist Michael Charnick captured images of red and green “pillars” about 10 miles north of Fort Collins shortly before midnight.

"Going absolutely nuts now … Did not expect this,'' he wrote in a Tweet.

Jeff Stahla of Loveland told The Coloradoan, part of USA Today's network, that he went to the north end of Horsetooth Reservoir to photograph the show.

He said he vividly remembers a bigger show when he was a child growing up in Weld County, Colo., in the 1970s.

"That one was a much more pronounced aurora borealis over Colorado,'' he said. "It was so vivid that folks in Denver thought something happened at the (Fort St. Vrain) nuclear power plant near Platteville.''

The storm Sunday night into Monday morning was rated as strong while the storm Monday night into Tuesday morning was rated moderate.

More:NASA shares 'spectacular" image of the southern lights from International Space Station

Stunning aurora borealis displays also lit up skies across the U.K., from as far south as the iconic Stonehenge monument, and droves of skywatchers shared their photos with reports of sightings on social media.

Northern Lights forecast

Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning aurora predictions forecasted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center show a low likelihood of visibility in many of the states that border Canada.

Want to try and catch the next display and learn more tips on how to view the Northern Lights? Visit NOAA's website and click on their forecast maps.

Camille Fine is a trending visual producer on USA TODAY's NOW team.

What's everyone talking about?Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day

City Manager Jim Twombly announces his retirement

After a 42-year career in public service spanning multiple states, City Manager Jim Twombly will retire on April 7.“I have six grandchildren, none of whom are in Colorado, who are very involved in school and sports activities, and I want to be able to be more present for them,” Twombly said in a letter to Aurora’s roughly 3,700 employees on Friday. “I thoroughly enjoy my work for the city of Aurora and appreciate the professionalism and dedication you demonstrate every day. Although there have been unexpected c...

After a 42-year career in public service spanning multiple states, City Manager Jim Twombly will retire on April 7.

“I have six grandchildren, none of whom are in Colorado, who are very involved in school and sports activities, and I want to be able to be more present for them,” Twombly said in a letter to Aurora’s roughly 3,700 employees on Friday. “I thoroughly enjoy my work for the city of Aurora and appreciate the professionalism and dedication you demonstrate every day. Although there have been unexpected challenges along the way, I am proud of how much we have accomplished together, the caliber of service we provide the community, and the many initiatives to support our employees we have put in place.”

The Aurora City Council appointed Twombly in 2018 after the city conducted a national search that yielded 195 applicants and four named finalists. Twombly not only navigated Aurora through the COVID pandemic while maintaining quality services for residents but also led the city in coming out sound and strong. He launched and steadily advocated for the city’s ongoing, comprehensive public safety changes and established the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Twombly also recognized the need for a sustainable future for Aurora, and along with the mayor and council, was a champion for industry-leading water conservation measures.

“Jim has done an extraordinary job during a very difficult chapter in the history of our city, and he will be missed,” said Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman.

“I’ve appreciated Jim’s steady leadership for the city of Aurora and its residents,” said Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Gardner. “He led the city through an unprecedented pandemic and ensured we continued to provide services to our residents. It’s been a pleasure working with Jim and I am thrilled he’ll have the opportunity to enjoy retirement with his family.”

“In my time working with City Manager Twombly, I've found him to be professional, communicative and responsive to council and community concerns,” said City Council Member Juan Marcano. “He acknowledged the status quo with our civil service was unacceptable and supported entering the consent decree with the state, helped residents access vaccines and financial support through a deadly pandemic, and has navigated a divided council with patience and grace. I am grateful for his service to Aurora and wish him the best in his retirement.”

“I've worked alongside Jim Twombly over the course of his time at our city,” said City Council Member Françoise Bergan. “He's a consummate professional who has led the city through some challenging and exciting times. I truly wish him the very best in his retirement and having the time to enjoy what is most important in life, his family.”

Twombly served as the director of administration/city manager for the city of Tulsa from 2009 to 2017. Prior to working for the city of Tulsa, he served as the city manager for the city of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, from 2004 to 2009, and the city administrator for the city of Pella, Iowa, from 1994 to 2004. He also served in multiple positions for the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, between 1982 and 1994, including as assistant to the city manager from 1989 to 1994.

City Council will meet in an executive session on Monday, Feb. 13, to discuss the next steps to fill the city manager’s position.

Aurora has a council-manager form of government. The city charter requires City Council members to appoint a city manager who serves as the chief executive and administrative officer of the city.

Northern lights: Aurora seen across UK in spectacular display

By Simon KingBBC WeatherIn a very rare display, the northern lights were seen as far south as Kent and Cornwall on Sunday night.Across more northern areas of the UK, the display was one of the best seen in a very long time by BBC Weather Watchers.An aurora is formed by a solar flare erupting on the Sun, sending charged particles towards Earth which interact with our atmosphere.More displays are expected in the coming nights.In the UK, we can often see the northern lights in Scotland, but they ...

By Simon King

BBC Weather

In a very rare display, the northern lights were seen as far south as Kent and Cornwall on Sunday night.

Across more northern areas of the UK, the display was one of the best seen in a very long time by BBC Weather Watchers.

An aurora is formed by a solar flare erupting on the Sun, sending charged particles towards Earth which interact with our atmosphere.

More displays are expected in the coming nights.

In the UK, we can often see the northern lights in Scotland, but they are rarely spotted in southern England.

On Sunday, there were sightings there as well as Northern Ireland, south Wales and Norfolk.

Over the last few days, a strong solar flare on the Sun's surface was directed towards Earth with charged particles reaching our atmosphere on Sunday night.

The charged particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen which then emit green and red colours over our poles.

If it's a strong solar flare, the charged particles can travel further away from the poles into middle latitudes such as southern England.

There may be another opportunity to see the northern lights on Monday night where skies are clear.

Photographer Gary Pearson, who watched the display from Brancaster Staithe in Norfolk on Sunday, said: "We had a fantastic showing from the northern lights last night.

"The aurora was clearly visible to the naked eye, though it was the long exposure taken by the camera that picked up the extremely vivid colours."

In the heart of Teesdale, County Durham, revellers witnessed a blast of green and red light at Grassholme Observatory.

The Sun goes through an 11-year solar cycle measured in terms of how active its magnetic field is. As this magnetic field changes, so does the amount of activity on the Sun's surface.

The last solar minimum was in 2020, so activity on the Sun has been increasing since then and it is currently the most active since 2014.

Solar maximum is expected in 2025, more frequent displays of the aurora are likely in the coming years.

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Aurora Fire Department calls rise 10% in 2022

CorrespondentFire department call volume in the city rose 10 percent in 2022, according to recently named Fire Chief Matthew McBirney’s annual report.He said crews responded to 2,216 EMS/rescue calls and 606 fire/other calls in 2022. Total calls were up from 2,542 in 2021 and 2,155 in 2020. Former Fire Chief David Barnes said the call total in 2020 was low because of the coronavirus pandemic.“Over the past 10 years, the combined emergency call volume has increased by more than 50 percent,&rdquo...

Correspondent

Fire department call volume in the city rose 10 percent in 2022, according to recently named Fire Chief Matthew McBirney’s annual report.

He said crews responded to 2,216 EMS/rescue calls and 606 fire/other calls in 2022. Total calls were up from 2,542 in 2021 and 2,155 in 2020. Former Fire Chief David Barnes said the call total in 2020 was low because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Over the past 10 years, the combined emergency call volume has increased by more than 50 percent,” said McBirney. “Average response time to fire/other calls was 7.25 minutes and to EMS/rescue calls was 4.43 minutes.”

Fire loss for the year was estimated at $243,752, which was up from $186,978 in 2021. “The 2022 total was primarily from a house fire on Parker Road and a garage fire on Circlewood Drive,” McBirney said. “All fires were extinguished quickly and there were no significant injuries.”

Major department purchases in 2022 included an aerial ladder truck for $900,000, rescue squad for $260,000 and complete removal and replacement of roofing materials at Station 1, which cost $235,000.

“Our 1986 ladder truck was retired, auctioned off and shipped to Brazil, where it is still serving,” said the chief.

There were several personnel changes, including the addition of full-time firefighter/paramedic Noah Wilson. Barnes retired after 45 years with the city, and longtime administrative assistant Joyce Smolen retired and was replaced by Melissa Stanton.

Capt. C.W. Hudson retired and Ed Grecol was promoted to captain, David Horvath was promoted to lieutenant and firefighter/paramedic Matthew Levitt was hired.

The department’s staffing model has eight positions for firefighters/paramedics, with six full-timers assigned to each shift. Twenty-five part-timers fill two positions, plus cover open shifts because of full-timers’ vacations and other leaves. Full-timers work a 56-hour week.

CPR classes, inspections among fire department activities

With public relations and education being a large part of the department’s job, McBirney said firefighter/paramedic David Justus and members of the fire prevention bureau taught fire extinguisher classes to 450 employees of businesses and 250 eighth-graders at Harmon School.

Firefighters/paramedics Mike Overholt and Gus Weir taught CPR classes to adults and school-aged children, and certified 571 people in either Health Care Provider CPR or Heartsaver AED and/or first aid.

The department’s fire prevention bureau reviewed plans, issued permits, conducted acceptance tests for fire sprinkler systems/alarms and made final certificate of occupancy inspections.

Notable commercial projects that required in-depth plan reviews and collaboration with developers were the Ashley Furniture warehouse on Lena Drive and the K-M Tire warehouse on Francis D. Kenneth Drive.

Other business locations where the department provided assistance were Avanton and Piping Rock on Lena Drive, McMaster-Carr on Aurora Industrial Parkway, Layer Zero on Harris Drive and Anna Maria of Aurora on Route 43 north.

Personnel were involved with 380 fire safety inspections of commercial properties, 205 followup inspections, 192 notices of corrective action and several follow-ups to ensure compliance with the Ohio Fire Code.

Twenty-six residents requested lockboxes, which contain a key to the resident’s home and allow first responders to gain entry when a resident cannot make it to a locked door. The total number of lockboxes in circulation is now 169.

The department continued its partnership with the Aurora One Fund’s smoke detector program, in which the latter supplies smoke detectors at no charge and FD personnel install them in homes of residents who cannot afford them.

Firefighters participated in many community events, including Safety Town, July 4 festivities/fireworks, National Night Out, fall festival, community block parties, Christmas tree lighting and an American Red Cross bloodmobile.

Among monthly training topics for personnel were University Hospitals protocol updates, shock, poison response, Ohio trauma triage protocols, pediatric respiratory and other emergencies, sepsis, sports related injuries and firefighter physical fitness.

Some of the fire training exercises focused on fire engine operations, auto extrication and stabilization, boat operations and trailering, advancing small and large hand lines through a structure, ladder truck driving and CO emergencies.

Some local firefighters participated in Portage County Search and Rescue and Portage County Water Rescue teams’ drills and shuttles, and some were members of the county fire investigation unit, which had 19 callouts in 2022.

“The many public education and community events we participate in is a chance to interactwith residents under more relaxed conditions than when we show up to provideemergency services,” said McBirney. “We feel privileged to have wide support in our community, and maintaining that relationship is our highest priority.”

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