NORTHVILLE TWP. — Fire Chief Brent Siegel will retire this month after 20 years with the department, including the past decade as its top fire official.
Township officials announced the retirement in a news release, praising Siegel’s leadership and noting a succession plan is already in place.
Deputy Fire Chief Jesse Marcotte will be promoted to fire chief during a March 20 ceremony and will officially assume the role March 21. Marcotte was selected as part of a succession strategy Siegel helped develop.
“The Department’s in an excellent place, and it’s a good time to move on and allow the next group of leaders to take the department to even higher places,” Siegal said in the press release. “The firefighters I’ve worked with and the relationships across the township have made this an incredible place to serve. I’m proud of what we’ve built together and confident the department will continue to thrive.”
Marcotte will step into the top position after serving as deputy chief, a role Siegel advocated creating, the township said.
Fire Marshal Kyle Lewis will be promoted to deputy chief effective March 21.
The department recently received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Achievement Award, recognizing its efforts to improve treatment for patients experiencing heart attacks and strokes.
Siegel said the department’s cardiac arrest survival rates are about three times the national average.
“Under (Siegal’s) leadership, the Fire Department has grown into an agency recognized nationally as a model of professionalism, performance and preparedness,” Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo said in the release. “Brent set high standards and led by example, fostering a culture where excellence was expected and continuous improvement was the norm. He will be greatly missed.”
Siegel joined the Northville Township Fire Department in 2005 and held several positions before becoming chief.
He was named Firefighter of the Year in 2011, promoted to EMS coordinator that same year, appointed interim fire chief in May 2016 and officially named chief later that October.
Following his retirement, Siegel will begin a new role as director of EMS operations for Health Emergency Medical Services, the release said.
Township Manager Glenn Caldwell said Siegel leaves behind a department that is widely respected across the state.
“Under his guidance, the Northville Township Fire Department has become arguably the best department in the state,” Caldwell said in the release. “I wish Brent nothing but the best in retirement and am confident in his continued success.”
Contact reporter Laura Colvin: lcolvin@hometownlife.com
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Northville Twp. fire chief to retire; New chief selected
Reporting by Laura Colvin, Hometownlife.com / Hometownlife.com
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