By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The Decatur Fire Department is adding a pair of veteran firefighters to its ranks of on-call volunteers: Tony Heiser and Christopher Jones.
Fire Chief Jeff Sheets brought the names before the city’s board of works and safety at its latest meeting and received approval for the additions.
“They are already with other fire departments, so they are mostly ready to go” as they learn Decatur’s equipment, Sheets said.
There were three openings on the force of some 25 volunteers, but only Jones and Heiser applied.
Heiser is a 26-year veteran of the Monroe Fire Department, currently serving as lieutenant.
An active state certified instructor. he also holds certifications in Auto Extrication, Rope Rescue, Incident Safety Officer, Instructor I&II, Officer I, Fire I&II, NIMS 100,200,300,400,700,800, and EMR, Sheets said.
“He continues his passion of the fire service and the knowledge he has learned through teaching the Fire/Rescue Class at South Adams High School,” the local chief noted.
Heiser and his wife Amanda, are the parents of two children, Gabrielle and Matthew.
Tony is a graduate of Adams Central High School and holds a Workplace Specialist Degree from Ball State University; he is currently studying for his Masters of CTE.
Jones is a three-year veteran of the Preble Fire Department.
He holds certifications in firefighter 1, firefighter 2, EMR, technical rescue awareness, hazmat awareness, hazmat operations, nims 100, nims 200, nims 700, and nims 800.
“He continues his passion for the fire service and the knowledge he has learned through various training and seminars,” Sheets said.
A Bellmont High School graduate, Jones is the son of Jeremy and Jessica Jones and a brother of Madison Jones.
Christopher is currently employed at the City of Decatur Public Works.
Paid-on-call volunteers hold jobs and respond to fire dispatches, for which they are paid.
“It’s great group; they do a lot of hard work for the community,” Mayor Dan Rickord said.
NEW PACT: The board of works approved a new fire coverage contract for St. Mary’s Township.
The cost per year is $10,673.