The City of Wooster Fire and Police offices and operations at the Safety Center and fire stations located downtown and on Akron Road are closed to public walk-ins, effective immediately. This will be re-evaluated on April 6, 2020.

All police, fire and EMS services are in operation.

During the COVID-19 situation, the Wooster Division of Fire remain open and are focusing on mission critical activities.

To facilitate community risk reduction, the Fire Division staff will be working with the Wayne County Health Department to distribute emergency preparedness & prevention information to our communities vulnerable populations.

POLICE UPDATES - MARCH 19 @ 1:47PM

Until changes are recommended by the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health, the Safety Center and all Fire Stations will be prohibiting visitors at those facilities, will be suspending all tours of those facilities and will be limiting face to face contact as much as possible, in order to limit the exposure and spread of the COVID-19 virus to our citizens and safety forces. Patrols and responses to crashes, crimes and related calls will not change.

The Wooster Police Department prides itself on our ability to communicate with those we serve.  I think we can all agree that the ever-evolving situation withCOVID-19 is unprecedented and there is a lot of uncertainty.  Nevertheless, what is certain is that our officers are out there 24 hours a day 7 days a week doing our best to ensure all are safe. 

With that being said, in an effort to maintain our commitment to everyone’s safety we have made some temporary changes. First, we will respond to emergency or in-progress calls and crashes.  This will not change. Most importantly, we will be out there patrolling.  You will see our officers in all areas of the city and we will continue to protect and serve.  However, in an effort to limit everyone’s potential exposure to COVID-19 we have made some changes. These modifications include officers using the phone and email to gather information on non-emergency calls.  We also ask that you not come to the safety center to make a report or speak to an officer.  Moreover, if you would like to do a public record request, please do so by calling first and consider utilizing wpdrecords@woosteroh.com.  You can also acquire records by going to the public record section of our PD website.  Finally, in addition to these operational changes you may notice that we will not be doing building tours, in-person meetings, demonstrations, or speaking engagements. 

We are proud of the relationship we have built with all of you over the last several years.  Part of what makes WPD special is our willingness and ability to connect with the public.  Whereas we may be limiting our in-person contact with all of you, it doesn’t mean that we’re not there.  We will continue to reach out via social media and will be visible.

FIRE UPDATES - MARCH 16 @ 5:20PM

To minimize the impact on our healthcare and EMS system(s), PLEASE utilize the below guidance from the Wooster Community Hospital:

#Flattenthecurve

What to do if you suspect you have COVID-19

The vast majority of patients have mild/moderate symptoms and don’t require hospitalization.

Mild symptoms, stay home
Please stay home, self-isolate, and follow prevention measures to avoid infecting others.
While at home:

• Practice frequent hand hygiene
• Limit close contact with other people and pets
• Do not share utensils, dishes, or drinking cups.

Worsening Symptoms, call first:
Before you go to a facility, we recommend you do one of the following to determine if you meet the CDC criteria for a COVID-19 test or to rule out another healthcare condition causing your symptoms

• Call your Primary Care Provider
• Have a virtual visit using the WCH Today Care app
• Call the ODH at 1-833-427-5634.

The current CDC guidelines for testing are for patients that meet specific criteria. WCH is currently only able to test patients who are sick enough to be admitted to the hospital. As testing becomes more available, we will communicate this.

Severe symptoms, dial 9-1-1
If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, visit the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1.

UPDATE MARCH 16 - COMMUNITY CENTER CLOSED

The Ohio Department of Health has ordered that all fitness centers, gyms, bowling alleys, recreation centers, indoor water parks, indoor trampoline parks and movie theaters to be closed at the end of the day Monday, March 16.

Based on this order, the City of Wooster Community Center will be closed at the end of the day on March 16th and will open when allowed by the Ohio Department of Health.

Spring and Summer sports programming and all other Recreation and Community Center activities and events are being evaluated on a day-to-day basis and as soon as any decisions have been made to cancel, postpone or go ahead with the program/class/activity/event we will let you know!

Refunds will be issued to all customers who have previously paid for canceled class dates and events.

MEALS ON WHEELS UPDATE MARCH 29

Meals on Wheels will continue to operate and deliver meals to the residents of Wayne County from the Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio central kitchen facilities in Massillon and Akron. Anyone wishing to sign up for the Meals on Wheels service, please call 1(800)466-8101.

Registrations and reservations can also be completed online at www.woosteroh.com/recreation.

UPDATE MARCH 29 - BASKETBALL COURTS AND PLAYGROUNDS CLOSED

On Sunday, March 22, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine ordered public playgrounds to close to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. The City of Wooster has placed CLOSED signs at each of our playgrounds and as soon as the closure is uplifted we will be performing a thorough cleaning and disinfection to all playground equipment in our parks before reopening them. 

The order to close playgrounds is part of the Stay-At-Home order requiring Ohio residents to remain in their homes until April 6.

Residents may leave their homes to shop for groceries and other household necessities and go to work at essential businesses, among other exceptions. People may still visit public parks or open outdoor areas. Among the exceptions are outdoor activities such as walking, running, hiking and bicycling, while maintaining a six-foot distance from others. Children are also permitted to play outdoors.

The City of Wooster, the Wooster Community Center & Recreation Department and the Public Properties Maintenance Division (Parks) will continue to monitor the situation, coordinate with our partner health agencies and continue to share any information and plans as they develop. Please visit www.woosteroh.com and the City of Wooster social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates.