Inspections

For Inspection or Public Education Requests Contact

Fire Marshal Shane Hillard at shillard@stfd-oh.gov or 419-882-7676 Ext. 1670

The Fire Prevention / Community Risk Reduction Bureau is under the direction of the Fire Marshal. The bureau is charged with three major tasks: 1) fire code enforcement, which includes the annual fire inspection of all commercial and institutional occupancies, and building plan review of new or revised construction, 2) public safety and prevention education, and 3) fire investigation.
Code enforcement is primarily completed through building inspections, on an annual basis, which are completed by the on-duty engine and truck company crews. Having these crews complete fire safety inspections allows them to become more familiar with the buildings in the fire district, which helps them when responding to them for an emergency. These inspections help keep the residents of Sylvania safe by ensuring our area businesses are free of fire code violations and hazards. While conducting these inspections, fire department personnel may verify proper maintenance of fire protection equipment and the operation of fixtures such as smoke detectors, fire alarm systems and emergency lighting equipment.
If you are a commercial building owner or business occupant in the City of Sylvania or Sylvania Township, you can expect a fire department inspector to visit your facility approximately once a year. This annual inspection is intended to support the building owner or occupant’s responsibility to maintain a fire code violation free business, and thereby we will all enjoy a safer Sylvania!
If you would like a home fire safety inspection, please contact Fire Marshal Shane Hillard at shillard@STFD.OH.gov or 567-408-8199
The Sylvania Fire-Ems Department participates in the national Knox Box® program and the new Knox HomeBox® program. The Ohio Fire Code allows the local fire department the option to require a key box on the property of a business. This is to allow the fire department access after-hours to gain entry to check on a fire alarm or sprinkler water-flow alarm without having to cause damage by “breaking-in”. The Knox Box® system is a secure key box that you purchase and place on your building at a location acceptable to the fire department. The local fire department is the only entity to have a key for this box. If needed, they can enter your building to check on an alarm without causing damage. There are Knox HomeBox® key boxes for residential occupancies also. The keys kept by your Sylvania Fire Department are secured in the fire engines and can only be accessed by our firefighters with a passcode which logs the time and name of who has accessed a key. Contact Knox Box or Knox HomeBox to order.
If you have further questions, please give us a call at
419-882-7676 ext.1670 or email Fire Marshal Shane Hillard.
Can a resident of the city or township have their home inspected?
Yes. The fire department also performs residential home fire inspections. If a resident would like an inspector to evaluate the safety of a house they can call the fire department and set up an appointment for an inspector to come out. We will do the inspection with you, making suggestions on how one might make their home safer and to point out fire hazards that the homeowner may not be aware of.
Does the fire department provide the service of checking smoke detectors?
Yes. Again, at the request of the homeowner, a member of the fire department or an engine crew will come out to check smoke detectors. Senior citizens and handicapped individuals are the ones that most often use this service. The department will check for proper operation of the detector and in some cases even replace the battery or the entire smoke detector if it is over 10 years old. It is important to test your smoke detector at least once a month, clean your detector at least once a year, and replace the battery annually. Citizens can also contact the fire department if they have a question on the proper placement of a smoke detector. If you are a Sylvania City or Township resident and do not have a smoke detector, please contact the fire department. We will install one or more for you as needed. Give us a call right away. We do not want to see any homes in our Sylvania community without this device that could help save your life. 419-882-7676 ext. 1670.

A firefighter demonstrating fire safety with a controlled fire, while a group of young women and a girl watch with curiosity and amusement outdoors. Fire Extinguisher training

To Our Valued Community,

As your Fire Marshal, I want to reaffirm that my highest responsibility is the protection of every life in our community. Each day, our department works diligently to safeguard homes, businesses, and public spaces but above all, to protect the people who live, work, and visit here. While property can be repaired or rebuilt, a life lost can never be replaced. For this reason, life safety will always guide every decision we make.

Community Risk Reduction (CRR) is more than traditional fire prevention. It is a proactive, data-driven strategy designed to identify the specific hazards that place our families, neighbors, and first responders at risk and to address them before an emergency occurs. This work includes preventing home fires, reducing carbon monoxide incidents, protecting older adults from fall-related injuries, and preparing for seasonal hazards such as severe weather or extreme temperatures.

These efforts cannot succeed through the fire department alone. The strength of our community comes from shared responsibility. When we work together by practicing everyday safety habits, staying informed, and looking out for those who may need extra support we build a safer, more resilient place to live. Preserving property matters, but it will always remain secondary to ensuring that every person returns home safely.

I encourage you to take simple steps that make a meaningful difference: test your smoke alarms monthly and change their batteries twice a year, create and practice a home escape plan, ensure smoke/carbon monoxide alarms are installed and working, and check on vulnerable or older neighbors. Never hesitate to contact our department if you have questions or need guidance. Small actions taken today can prevent tragedies tomorrow.

Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and commitment to safety. Together, we can strengthen our community and protect what matters most.

Stay safe,

Fire Marshal Shane Hillard