Rome Volunteer Fire Department

Neighbors answering the call for Rome Township and the Village of Athalia since 1962. Fire suppression, rescue, and emergency response, staffed by volunteers who live here.

Become a volunteer Contact the station

Established: 1962
Volunteer members: 27
Residents protected: 8,000+
Square miles covered: 37
Calls per year: ~500

Ready when it matters

The Rome Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. exists to meet the needs created by crisis situations that demand a quick, efficient, and professional emergency response. Led by Chief Nick Kuhn, our 27 members cover a 37 square mile district and respond to an average of 500 calls every year.

We work to provide the highest quality service while making the most of our people and keeping costs down. Through prevention, public education, and constant training, we aim to prevent, prepare for, and limit the impact of any fire or emergency in our community.

Chief Nick Kuhn holding a 2026 First Responder of the Year plaque, surrounded by Rome members — **2026 First Responders of the Year.** The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce honored Chief Nick Kuhn and Captain Shawn Cremeans, both of Rome Fire & Rescue.

Mutual aid across three counties

We share mutual aid agreements with neighboring fire departments in Lawrence and Gallia counties in Ohio and Cabell County, West Virginia, so no emergency in our area is handled alone.

Rome's ladder truck flying a large American flag over a highway bridge next to a Rome engine

Gold-leaf Rome Vol. Fire Dept. lettering on the side of a Rome engine

A Rome firefighter smiling from the cab window of an engine

Chief Nick Kuhn in dress uniform in front of an American flag

A note from the Chief

Thank you for visiting. Every person on this department is your neighbor. They leave family dinners, ballgames, and warm beds at all hours because someone in Rome Township needs help, and they never ask for anything in return.

Our job doesn't start when the tones drop. It starts in the training bay on a Monday night, in a kindergarten classroom during Fire Prevention Week, and in every smoke alarm we hand out. We would much rather teach your family how to get out safely than meet you on the worst day of your life.

We can't do any of it without you. Whether you volunteer, come out to a fundraiser dinner, or just wave when the trucks go by, you're part of what keeps this department running. If you ever have a question, a concern, or want to stop by the station, my door is open.

Nick KuhnFire Chief, Rome Volunteer Fire Department

Why does the fire department show up when I call for an ambulance?

We work alongside Lawrence County EMS as medical first responders. When minutes matter, the closest help is often a Rome truck, and we can begin care before the ambulance arrives.

Every member is CPR certified and trained in emergency first aid.
Many of our members are EMTs or paramedics.
We're automatically dispatched to serious medical calls, such as cardiac arrest, an unresponsive patient, trouble breathing, or traumatic injuries, and whenever the responding ambulance is coming from out of the area or is delayed.
Every apparatus carries emergency medical equipment, including an AED and oxygen.
We carry two LUCAS mechanical CPR devices, which deliver steady, high-quality chest compressions during cardiac arrest.

Lawrence County EMS Medic 11 parked behind a Rome fire chief's vehicle on scene — Rome units and Lawrence County EMS working a call together.

ISO Public Protection Class5/5YOverall PPC value: 05/5Y

Our ISO rating can lower your insurance

Insurance companies use the ISO Public Protection Classification (PPC) to help set homeowners and business property premiums. Classes run from 1 to 10, and a lower number means stronger fire protection and, often, a lower premium. Rome Township is rated Class 05/5Y.

Which class applies to your property

Class 5: Within 5 road miles of a Rome fire station and within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant or other creditable water supply.
Class 5Y: Within 5 road miles of the station, but more than 1,000 feet from a hydrant or creditable water supply.
Class 10: More than 5 road miles from a recognized fire station. Some properties 5 to 7 road miles away with water nearby may qualify for Class 10W.

How the grade is calculated

ISO surveys the community's fire protection using its Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, scoring three areas:

50%Fire department: staffing, training, equipment, apparatus, and station locations.
40%Water supply: hydrants, flow capacity, and alternate water sources such as tanker shuttles.
10%Emergency communications: how 911 calls are received, handled, and dispatched.

Fire prevention, public education, and investigation programs can earn up to 5.5 bonus points for community risk reduction.

Make sure your insurer has the right grade

Call your insurance agent and confirm your policy uses Rome Township's current class, 5 or 5Y depending on your distance to a hydrant. A policy still using an older or incorrect class could mean you're paying more than you should.

Questions? Contact us

Classifications are issued by ISO, a Verisk company. Your agent can look up the exact class for your address.

On scene and in training

A look at our members at emergency scenes, training nights, and community events around Rome Township.

Rome's aerial ladder over a working house fire at night as crews advance hose lines — Working structure fire

Firefighter climbing Ladder 1's aerial against a clear blue sky — Ladder 1

Firefighter showing a smoke detector to a line of young students outside their school — Smoke detector lesson

Rome members standing at attention for the flag at the Lawrence County Fair — Lawrence County Fair

Rome's aerial ladder working above a burning two-story house — Aerial operations

Firefighter showing her Rome 1300 helmet to a group of young children — Fire prevention visit

Ladder 1, a red and black E-One aerial, parked with its ladder raised — Ladder 1

Crews overhauling a burned outbuilding with a Rome engine in the background — Outbuilding fire overhaul

Rome members sharing lunch with students in a school cafeteria — Lunch with students

Firefighter in full turnout gear and SCBA mask during a Fire Prevention Week visit — Fire Prevention Week

Rome engine and ladder truck working a smoky residential fire — Engine and ladder company operations

Preschool class posing with Rome firefighters in front of Ladder 1 — Preschool visit

Hundreds of students in red shirts forming a red ribbon on a school lawn — Red Ribbon Week

Rescue 1, Rome's Ford F-550 rescue truck, with compartments open — Rescue 1

Rome firefighters on standby in front of the grandstand at the demolition derby — Demolition derby standby

Volunteers unloading tires from a trailer during a community cleanup — Community tire cleanup

Serve your community

Every member of this department is a volunteer. We train you, equip you, and stand beside you.

Three Rome volunteers in turnout gear on standby at the Lawrence County Fair

Become a volunteer firefighter

You don't need experience to start. If you live in or near Rome Township and want to help your neighbors, we want to hear from you. Not every role is on the fire line, either.

Firefighting and rescue
Driving and operating apparatus
Fire prevention and public education
Fundraising, events, and station support

Ask about volunteering

Rome members and volunteers serving dinner and homemade desserts at a department fundraiser

Support the department

Fundraiser dinners and donations go directly toward equipment, training, and keeping our apparatus ready to respond. Mail a check made out to Rome Volunteer Fire Department:

Rome Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 966
Proctorville, OH 45669

Questions about donating, or a business that wants to sponsor an event? Send us a message.

Ask about donating

Contact the station

Questions about burn safety, a fire safety visit for your school or group, volunteering, or anything else. We'll get back to you.

Station9666 County Road 107
Proctorville, OH 45669
Mailing addressP.O. Box 966, Proctorville, OH 45669
Phone (non-emergency)740.886.6770
Fax740.886.5703
Emailinfo@romefire.org

Do not use this form or email to report an emergency. Call 911.