Monroe Township Fire names Bob Stegman as board member; department reports surge in runs

The Morgan County Commissioners unanimously appointed Bob Stegman to the Monroe Township Fire Board effective April 1, following a recommendation from local fire leadership.

Mike Wagner told the board that long-serving member Chris Lambert is resigning and that the township has selected Bob Stegman as a replacement. “We need him appointed April 1st,” Wagner said; the board voted to approve the appointment.

Wagner and other fire representatives also presented operational data. He said the department’s runs increased from about 450 in 2020 to 811 last year and that the department has recorded 191 runs so far this year. Wagner noted the department is operating with paid standby rather than full-time staff and provided additional materials comparing response metrics and staffing to similar departments.

Commissioners and local officials discussed growth pressures on services and the need to expand the tax base to support increased public-safety demands. The board thanked fire volunteers and staff and asked county staff to continue coordinating with the department on operational needs.