Five candidates for the Addison fire chief job were interviewed Oct. 8 by a special panel.
The panel spent nearly two hours interviewing candidates James Bradford, David Cutway, Jerry Morawski, Janis (John) Smits and Brian Tyrell.
Addison’s been without a permanent fire chief since George Spencer resigned March 2 after nearly 11 years on the job.
Fire Board Members Mark Smith (vice chairman) and Erich Senft, along with Oxford Fire Chief Peter Scholz, Assistant Chief of Oakland Twp. Paul Strelchut and Rochester Fire Chief John Cieslik, were on the panel asking the candidates questions and taking notes.
After comparing notes and talking with each other, Smith decided that he would deliberate and make his recommendation to the Fire Board on Oct. 21. Senft echoed his decision, saying that they needed to go over everything they heard and meet with the board.
Once the Board has heard from the Fire Chief Committee, they will decide if they are satisfied with the candidates and make a recommendation of a top candidate to the township board.
Let’s meet the candidates:
James Bradford
Over the last 25 years, Bradford has seen his responsibilities progress since the time he began as a paid on-call firefighter in Rochester, MI and an emergency medical technician in Pontiac in 1983.
He became a full-time firefighter/dispatcher for Rochester in 1987, serving ten years before becoming a Fire Inspector in 1998. He became a Shift Captain in 2000, and is currently the Deputy Chief of the Rochester Hills Fire Department
‘I am looking for the opportunity to progress the department, move it to the next step…basically help the people in the organization make a positive impact on the community.?
According to Bradford, a three to five year plan is necessary. ‘I believe without plans, you have no direction.? Some of the things that he would include in the plan would be future development, equipment and personal needs and continue the advanced life support program.
Bradford is a huge fan of training. ‘Training in the fire service is paramount. Eventually, the fire chief is going to retire and the young firefighters now are going to move up the ladder. If I could send people to the National Fire Academy or local trainings, as long as it’s in the budget, I would.?
David Cutway
Cutway’s served as a firefighter/paramedic training officer in Bruce Twp. since 1985.
He describes himself as a hard-working, driven and dedicated individual while highly experienced in all aspects of firefighting work, and thoroughly familiar with firefighting practices, standards and protocols.
He has a strong background in many areas including management, operations, staff training and development, firefighting, paramedic work, emergency response and community relations.
He thinks that it is important to have the line officers be involved in running the department. ‘It would benefit the department because the officers knowing the man power, having strong relationships, knowing their strengths and weaknesses, know how to appropriately apply specific tasks to get a certain job done.
Jerry Morawski
Morawski has been involved in the Addison Twp. Fire Department since 1994. He became the Assistant Chief in 2008 before becoming the Acting Chief in March.
He also owns and operates Precision Craft Hardwood Floors in Leonard.
Morawski would like to see the medical side of the fire department excel, he would like to move forward with some non-emergency transports to group homes, more training for the fire service and EMS side and implementing a FDO program in the next three to five years under his guidance.
‘I am a leader where I surround myself with better people. I am not afraid to have someone else get recognition for something that I didn’t or they did; its no matter to me as long as the team is moving forward? he said when asked about his line officers.
When asked about managing a budget, Morawski said that he has had experience in the past because he did last year’s budget.
Morawski wants to have a respectful relationship with his boss. ‘One that I can go to him and know that he is going to listen…to be able to talk on the same level and understand his needs as well as my needs.?
Janis (John) Smits
Smits was recently the Fire Chief of Penn Twp. Fire Department in Mishawaka, Indiana. Before that he was a member of the Texas Twp. Fire Department from 1979 to 2004, where he rose in the ranks, starting from a firefighter in 1979 to the Acting Chief in 2004.
While he was at Penn Twp, he oversaw the construction of a new Headquarters and Station 1 facility, and the remodeling of Station 2. He also computerized the new station, as well as the command vehicles, and linked the two main stations together so reporting could be made easier.
Smits said that the incident command system should be used on all scenes.
One of the things that he strives for is including everybody. ‘I think that its important to find a niche for everybody. Everybody has that certain thing they like to do…if you find a niche for everybody, its a great thing. It promotes harmony and keeps everybody happy.?
He feels that the chief needs to inform the community what is going on. ‘A lot of times they don’t understand what we do out there besides drive around in firetrucks with lights and sirens on. I like to be seen. I’ve always been out there meeting with neighborhood groups, service clubs and speaking before them keeping them informed on what we do.
Brian Tyrell
Tyrell is currently a Fire Marshal in Washington Twp. He has over 24 years of experience in the fire service that dates back to 1982 when he was a City of Rochester firefighter.
In 1993 he became a paid on-call firefighter in Washington Twp before becoming a full time paramedic/firefighter in 1995. In addition to being a paramedic and firefighter, he took on the role of Fire Inspector in 2001.
Tyrell presently sits on the Macomb County Fire Inspectors Executive Board, the South East Michigan Fire Inspectors Society Executive Board, the Macomb County Fire Chiefs Association. He is also present in the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), the Michigan Chapter of the IAAI, the National Fire Protection Association and the International Association of Firefighters.
‘If the fire chief is not planning ahead, then he is reacting,? he said. ‘As a chief officer, I never want to react, I want to be proactive; stay ahead of the curve.?
Tyrell believes that sharing knowledge with fellow firefighters is vital in building leaders.
‘As a chief officer, I firmly believe that one of my big roles is to build leaders behind me. You don’t want to withhold your knowledge, you want to share your knowledge, and I am a big one on sharing knowledge and building leaders.?