March 16, 2001

District names interim fire chief

             Employees and families of the White River Township Fire Department (WRTFD) gathered at a local restaurant on Sunday evening, March 11^th,  to bid their Fire Chief and Mentor adieu.
            Michael Dutton, who would have completed his fifth year with WRTFD in August, resigned his position as Fire Chief and accepted a position with the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department in Florida.   He, his wife, and two children, originally came from Florida in 1996, leaving family and friends behind. 
            Since his arrival, he was a major force in the development of the department and it’s members.  Some of the fire department’s numerous accomplishments during his tenure include:
                    -                     Department staffing change from strictly volunteer/paid stand by to a combination
                                     career/paid stand by;
                    -                     Development and implementation of the Department’s current website;
                    -                     Purchase of several new staff vehicles and fire apparatus;
                    -                     Worked with political supporters in an effort to increase the District’s maximum tax levy so
                                     that additional staffing could be implemented;
                    -                     Approval of third fire station;
            During his going away party on Sunday, everyone patiently waited to extend their hand and their thanks to him for his hard work and dedication to making the department what it is today.  We wish him and his family all the best!

 

District Names Interim Chief

            At a recent meeting, members of the White River Township Fire Protection District Board of Directors named Battalion Chief Michael Tibbetts as Interim Fire Chief until they determine the most appropriate means to permanently filling the vacancy.
            Chief Tibbetts, who oversees the operations of the department, looks forward to filling this position and continuing the progress that has been made.
             The position created by the vacancy of Chief Tibbetts will be filled in the interim by Lieutenant Joel Thacker.  Joel was promoted to interim Battalion Chief effective March 16, 2001 however will maintain his subsequent duties as the department's training officer until the positions are filled on a permanent basis.
 

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