Newark Township and Chief Tim Ridenbaugh

A class action lawsuit has been filed against the township and its fire chief alleging policies of Chief Tim Ridenbaugh establishing the all-volunteer department to be the first responder on fires and other emergencies puts residents and their property at risk. The lawsuit was filed in US District Court in Columbus and claims refusing to call the closest equipment to respond to fires and other emergencies actually increases the risk of injury to Newark Township residents. It took firefighters 20 minutes to arrive at one resident's house and their house was destroyed.