GAYLORD — A search is underway for a permanent chief for the Otsego County Fire Department, as fire chief Chris Martin retired at the end of 2024.
Tim Warren was the assistant fire chief and has stepped in as the interim chief, according to Gaylord City Manager Kim Awrey.
“The (Otsego County Fire) Authority is looking at hiring a full time chief,” said Awrey.
Gaylord Police Chief Frank Claeys is leading the search.
Martin became fire chief in 2021 when longtime chief David Duffield passed away. Duffield served in the Otsego County Fire Department for 47 years, including his last 13 as chief. Martin was the assistant fire chief.
Last year, city council approved an agreement to change the governance structure for the department, establishing the Otsego County Fire Authority that now oversees the operation and funding for the department. In addition to the city of Gaylord, the department also provides fire service to the townships of Bagley, Dover, Hayes and Livingston along with the west side of Chester Township.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Otsego County Fire Authority searching for permanent chief
Reporting by Paul Welitzkin, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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