GFD changing of the guard continuing
They're breaking up that old gang of mine at the Greencastle Fire Department.
For the second time in two months, the Greencastle Board of Public Works and Safety was called upon Wednesday to hire a new city firefighter.
And it likely won't be the last time that it happens in 2015.
On the heels of the resignation earlier this fall of fireman Paul Trissel, the department is now having to replace a pair of retiring longtime firefighters, Roy Bumgardner and Bob Campbell.
"We're seeing a transition like back when I was first on the department," Chief Bill Newgent explained following the 20-minute Board of Works session at City Hall.
Bumgardner is retiring from GFD effective Dec. 9, while Campbell will be saying goodbye on Dec. 16, Newgent said. More information on their individual future plans and how they will be honored will be forthcoming.
When Brandon Watson was chosen at last month's meeting to succeed Trissel, who resigned to pursue a career in construction, Board of Works members Sue Murray, Thom Morris and Trudy Selvia commended the three candidates interviewed as making the decision difficult.
On Wednesday, Mayor Murray and Selvia dipped back into that firefighter candidate pool to select Darrick Wiatt, already a GFD part-timer and reserve firefighter, for one of the upcoming vacancies.
Chief Newgent said Watson has already passed his physical and his paperwork has been forwarded to the Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF) for its approval. He said Wiatt will be sent immediately for his physical to "get the ball rolling for PERF."
That still leave one fire position to be filled. Newgent said the department will either draw from that pool or run an ad soliciting new city firefighter candidates.
"We'll re-evaluate our pool of applicants," the chief said. "We may open it back up externally."
"So you'll either be back the end of next month or in January (if the candidates are not in the current pool of applicants)," the mayor suggested to Newgent.
"More interviews to come," Newgent smiled.
The Greencastle Fire Department is staffed by 17 fulltime firefighters, including the chief.