Canton: 16 police, fire officers named to new ranks

Sep. 24, 2013  PLYMOUTH EAGLE.

Recently promoted public safety department command officers received their new badges from Township Supervisor Phil LaJoy, followed by the oath of office administered by Township Clerk Terry Bennett during the Sept. 10 meeting of the Canton Township Board of Trustees.

Christopher Stoecklein is the new deputy chief of the fire department. Stoecklein began his career with Canton Public Safety in 1996 as a Public Safety Service Officer. One year later he was promoted to the rank of firefighter. In his new position, Stoecklein will assume the duties of the fire marshal overseeing the Fire Prevention Unit.

He will also be responsible for executing the department’s extensive training pro- grams, as well as assist the fire chief with administrative tasks and projects.

New fire department battalion chiefs include Steven Apostal, who has 24 years of service with the department; Wendy Murphy-Stevens, who has been with the department for 21 years and Paul Pavloff, who has served with the department for 25 years

In their new positions, these firefighters will serve as shift commanders overseeing he daily operation of their respective shifts, which include 18 Firefighter/Paramedics responding to emergency calls for service from three fire stations. They are also responsible for contributing to the development of subordinate personnel, including three captains assigned to their shift.

Promoted to the rank of lieutenant with the police department were Scott Hughesdon who has 23 years of service with the department; David Schreiner, who has been with the department for 26 years and Craig Wilsher, who has been a member of the department for 15 years.

In their new positions, these police officers will serve as platoon commanders in the patrol division, overseeing the daily operation of their respective shifts made up of sergeants and patrol officers. In addition, they will also be responsible for providing training, direction and motivation of subordinate personnel toward the accomplishment of department established goals and objectives.

Promoted to the rank of captain with the fire department were Russell Averill, who has 16 years with the department; Steven Borgelt, who has 21 years with the department; Kevin Henderson, who has been with the department for 21 years; Nicholas Lombardi, who has served with the department for 14years; Philip Mack, who has been with the department for 13 years; George Mearnic, who has 15 years on the department; Mark Price, a 21-year veteran of the fire department; James Strassner, who has been on the department for 12 years and William Wisler, a 13-year veteran of the department.

In their new positions, these firefighters will serve as fire station supervisors, providing leadership on calls for fire and emergency medical service. They will also be responsible for the mentoring and development of firefighter-paramedics, under the leadership of their assigned battalion chief.

“We are very excited about our newly promoted command officers within public safety, as they are all fully committed to making Canton a safe community,” said Public Safety Director Todd Mutchler.

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