April 26, 2021 at 11:29 a.m.
PFC appoints Schmitz interim assistant RFD chief
PFC appoints Schmitz interim assistant RFD chief
The PFC also voted to appoint deputy chief Dan Bauer to the position if Schmitz declines the appointment.
The move came during a nearly two-hour meeting where the PFC discussed the job descriptions of RFD chief and assistant chief with administrator Zach Vruwink, mayor Chris Frederickson and city human resources generalist Doreen St. Onge. The PFC also discussed a projected date that the department budget would accommodate hiring a new fire chief to replace Terry Williams, who retired in January.
Because William's retirement benefits are still being paid out of the department budget until October, assistant chief Tom Waydick was appointed interim chief. However, Waydick earlier this month announced that he was retiring effective June 4, so the PFC was faced with the top two leadership positions being vacant.
Waydick explained that the chain of command is such that if the chief or assistant chief is not available at a fire or accident scene, the deputy chief on duty takes over.
"We have this rank structure in place where the muscle memory ... where we train that way we operate that way through our daily shifts," Waydick said. "That is the normal progression of the rank structure that is in place."
Vruwink said that with the assistant chief position currently vacant, and Waydick's imminent departure, it would be in the department's best interest to "appoint someone within the next seven days." This would allow Schmitz time to train under Waydick until his departure, at which time he would then step up to become interim chief and Bauer would be appointed interim assistant chief based on seniority within the department.
Frederickson agreed that the sooner the assistant chief position was filed, the better it would be for the department.
When asked by commission chairman Todd McEldowney, Schmitz said he is interested in applying for the chief's job. The commission has repeatedly stated its preference to promote from within if at all possible, although it was not closing the door to hiring from outside the department.
Vruwink said in an email to the River News that discussions were underway with both Schmitz and Bauer regarding the financial terms of the appointments, with a goal of a tentative agreement being worked out by the middle of this week.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at jamie@rivernews online.com.
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