Boardman Trustees named 34-year-old Mark Pitzer, 4018 Bob-O-Link Dr., as their new fire chief. He replaces George Brown, who has resigned.
      Pitzer will receive an annual salary of $72,000.
      Pitzer joined the Boardman Fire Department in Nov., 2003, and was one of the firemen laid-off in 2008 during a leadership crisis among Boardman Trustees.
      He then joined Lanes Life Trans as a supervisor of that ambulance company where he duties included staffing. logistics, equipment maintenance and handling personnel complaints.
      From May, 2010 to Sept., 2011, he was a member of the Fairfax, Va. Fire and rescue Department, acknowledged by many as one of the top fire department in America.
      “The experience provides me with a solid base to improve our operations here, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars,” Pitzer said.
      Pitzer began his career in the fire service with the Cardinal Joint Fire District in July, 1999, and was one of the first, full-time employee of the district.
      He holds a bachelor of science degree in fire administration from Columbia Southern University and has completed fire instructor and paramedic training at the Ohio Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg, Oh.
      Chief Pitzer has been involved in several, major projects within the Boardman Fire Department, including the purchase of a new ladder truck, the use of stabilizing systems for use in auto accidents, and the purchase of automatic external defibrillators for use on heart attack victims.
      Chief Pitzer says he would like to re-establish a CPR training program for residents and businesses in Boardman.
      Recently Chief Pitzer and Capts. Robert John and Ed Glaser implemented a training program for fire-fighters in an effort to improve operations within the department.
      “I have 15 years of experience in the fire service and that experience has given me tools necessary to step into the position of fire chief. I want to lead the fire department into the future,” Chief Pitzer said.
      In replacing Chief Brown, one of Chief Pitzer’s first duties will be a recommendation on building a new fire station in Boardman to replace to main station at Southern Blvd. and Rt. 224.
      Chief Brown suggested to Trustees a new station could cost upwards of $3-$4 million, a figure disputed by Township Administrator Jason Loree, who indicated a new station could be constructed for less than $2 million.
      According to his contract, the new fire chief will receive a $1050 clothing allowance in his first year on the job, and will also be assigned a township cell phone.
      During his first three months on the job, the new chief will be required to meet regularly with the township fiscal office to review department budgets and reports. Trustees will review his job performance at intervals of his first 90 days on the job, his first 180 days in the job, and after a year of duty.
      Of particular interest during those reviews, according to his contract, with be an assessment of the assistant chief’s position, a fie station review, and EMS update, as well as the status of the department and its employees.