By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The Decatur Fire Department has returned to full capacity with the addition of two new firefighters: Ben Walter and Maddux Hillery.
Both were sworn in sworn in Friday and officially began their duties on Monday.
Walter is a graduate of Jay County High School, an Army veteran, a husband and a father, Fire Chief Sheets told Decatur’s board of works and safety at its recent meeting.
He had been working in a welding and fabrication position.
Walter, the son of Allen and Stacie Walter, is married to Michaela Walter.
Ben looks forward to serving and getting to know the Decatur community, Sheets said.
Hillery, a Bellmont High School grad, is transitioning from a paid-on-call position to a full-time or career position with the Decatur department.
He had been an employee of the town of Ossian as a utility worker and a motorcycle safety instructor throughout Indiana.
The son of David and Heather Hillry, Maddux is a first-generation firefighter.
“He looks forward to continuing his commitment to the community,” Sheets noted.
FROM 18: Walter and Hillary were chosen from an original field of 18 applicants.
The addition of the two will boost the department back to full capacity with nine career firefighters, plus Chief Sheets and Deputy Chief Chad Baumann.
The paid-on-call (volunteer) staff is at full capacity at 25, but will now have a vacancy with Hillary moving to full-time.
The local department has lost five full-time/career fighters since early August of last year.
Those who have left have taken higher-paying positions with departments in Allen County.
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