Liberty Responders Praised for Efforts During Winter Storm

Township officials highlight fire, EMS, and road crews' work to maintain services during heavy snow and flooding.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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At a recent township meeting, Liberty officials recognized the efforts of first responders and public works crews who worked tirelessly to maintain emergency services and clear roads during a major winter storm that brought heavy snow and flooding. Fire Chief Doug Theobald and Road Superintendent Wayne Hickman detailed the challenges faced by their teams and praised their dedication in keeping the community safe and accessible.

Why it matters

The winter storm highlighted the critical role that first responders and public works crews play in maintaining community safety and functionality during extreme weather events. Liberty's officials acknowledged the hard work and coordination required to continue providing essential services under such difficult conditions.

The details

Fire Chief Doug Theobald reported that firefighters and EMS personnel had to chain up vehicles to navigate the 16-18 inches of snow, and the department saw a spike in calls for accidents, water main breaks, and welfare checks after the storm. Road Superintendent Wayne Hickman recognized the efforts of his 5-person crew in keeping the roads clear day and night. The township also provided updates on a $450,000 grant-funded project to improve the Center Park recreation area.

  • The winter storm brought 12 inches of snow following heavy rains in January 2026.
  • The township meeting where officials recognized responders' efforts took place on Monday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Doug Theobald

Fire Chief of the Liberty Fire Department, who detailed the challenges his team faced and praised their work during the winter storm.

Greg Cizmar

Liberty Township Trustee, who assisted the fire department during the flooding that preceded the heavy snowfall.

Wayne Hickman

Liberty Township Road Superintendent, who led a 5-person crew in keeping the roads clear during the storm.

Arnie Clebone

Liberty Township Trustee, who provided updates on a $450,000 grant-funded project to improve the Center Park recreation area.

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What they’re saying

“Kudos to (Road Superintendent) Wayne (Hickman) and his crew for keeping our aprons and our roads clear, that we were able to do it. He was on standby if we had difficulty getting down the side street — they would run a truck down to get us closer to the calls.”

— Doug Theobald, Fire Chief (tribtoday.com)

“Mother Nature's not been so kind to us lately, so hopefully that changes shortly.”

— Wayne Hickman, Road Superintendent (tribtoday.com)

What’s next

The township's Center Park improvement project, funded by a $450,000 American Rescue Plan grant, is set to begin with initial tree clearing on the park's west property line.

The takeaway

Liberty's first responders and public works crews demonstrated their dedication and coordination in maintaining essential services for the community during a challenging winter storm, highlighting the critical role these teams play in ensuring public safety and functionality during extreme weather events.