Episode 5: Ryan Schott

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Schott, a 26-year veteran of the Shawnee Township Fire Department and lifelong resident of Shawnee. Ryan recently retired in July 2025 and joins us to share insights from his decades of experience as a firefighter.

He offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to serve the community, how the department operates day to day, and the challenges of staffing, overtime, and equipment readiness.

Ryan also provides his perspective on the culture within the department and what he believes is currently happening at the Shawnee Fire Department following recent events. We discuss the role of leadership, the importance of communication, and the path forward for maintaining a strong and trusted fire service in Shawnee Township.

Note: Ryan Schott is no longer employed by the Shawnee Township Fire Department. The views shared in this episode are based on his past experience and are his own.

Originally Posted 10/24/2025

Local Exchange — where Northwest Ohio comes to talk. #LocalExchange #ShawneeTownship #FireDepartment #PublicSafety #CommunityConversation #NorthwestOhio