By Erica Solvig
Enquirer staff writer

HAMILTON TWP. - As this Warren County township celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its Fire Department on Sunday, the chief is already looking at what the next 10 could bring.

A master plan aimed at guiding the department for the next decade is in the final stages and will go to trustees in about two months for approval.

While not complete, it may include plans for additional fire stations and a paramedic unit to keep up with the increase in residents and runs, according to Chief Goebel Williams.

In 1994 when the department started, there were 647 fire and emergency medical service runs, he said. Last year, that total was around 1,500 and this year is projected to be near 1,800 runs.

"It's going to be at least another 10 years to stabilize because of the growth," Williams said. "The growth is not going to stop. It's going to change, I think, but it's not going to stop."

The department has already seen a lot of change since 1994, when Williams' staff was 10 volunteers (three of whom were on vacation during the first week of operations). Now, the department has seven full-timers, 21 part-timers and seven volunteers.

Before that, Hamilton Township (now Warren County's fastest-growing township) was protected by volunteer firefighters.

"We've done a lot of things in 10 years, there's no doubt," Williams said. "Some days you look at it and all this growth and think we're just spinning our wheels. But then you look at what you had, and what you have now, and realize it's night and day."

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com