Meeting last week, Boardman Township Trustees named William Glaser, 53, of 330 Cranberry Run Dr., as the eighth chief in the history of the Boardman Fire Department.
      Glaser is a 25 year veteran of the department, including as a fire prevention officer, and he has been serving as acting chief since August.
      In applying for the position, Glaser said as a resident, as well as an employee of Boardman Township, he is familiar with the challenges facing the community.
      Glaser’s letter of application said “the role of fire chief is more that directing emergency responses.
      “My background includes budgeting, planning, training, personnel management, public relations and inter-governmental cooperation. Skills that are needed to complete the administrative tasks that keep a fire department moving forward.
      “I look forward to working in harmony with the Trustees, the Township Administrator, other township departments, the rank and file, the union, our neighboring mutual-aid departments and the community to make sure this fire department continues to meet their needs and is positioned to respond to future challenges.”
      Glaser replaces Mark Pitzer, whose relationship with Trustees, at times, was contentious.
      Glaser said he believes in leading “with honesty, transparency and professionalism. I believe in the team concept and know that input and cooperation from the fire-fighters, administrators, schools and community stakeholders are vital.”
      He noted that “Positivity, discipline and dedication to the fire department’s mission statement and core values must be returned in order to increase morale and give employees the spark to go above and beyond” and said robust communications and fiscal responsibility will be among his top priorities.
      In addition to his roles as acting chief and a member of the Fire Prevention Bureau, Glaser also served the Boardman Fire Department as an assistant fire chief for five years and was a captain for eight years.
      He had been a fire instructor at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center since 2004, served as a fireman and paramedic with he Canfield Joint Fire District from 1992-2014, and was employed as a paramedic supervisor with Lanes LifeTrans from 1994-2001.
      Among those providing letters of support for Chief Glaser was John D. Lightly, a battalion chief with the Youngstown Fire Department.
      “Over the years Bill (Glaser) has consistently demonstrated not just technical competence, but also the ability to apply that knowledge effectively in fire and emergency medical situations. He communicates well under stress at incidents and maintains control of those under him,” Lightly said.
      Fellow fireman Thomas O’Hara, deputy fire chief with the Austintown Fire Department, said that Glaser is an active member of the Mahoning County Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT), where “he has played an important role in training fellow team members and helping ensure they are prepared to effectively manage complex emergency incidents.”
      Glaser is a graduate of the Youngstown State University Paramedic Program and holds an associate degree in applied science and allied health from YSU.
      He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Managing Officer Program and is currently seeking a bachelor of science degree in fire administration from Bowling Green State University.
      Chiefs Glaser’s annual salary is $93,472.
      The Boardman Fire Department was organized in 1923 and from that time until 1962, Merle Gifford served as chief.
      Others who have served in the post are Wayne Ewing, 1962-1965; Don Cover, 1965-1987; Jim Wilson, 1987-1996; Jim Dorman 1996-2011; George Brown, 2011-2014; and Mark Pitzer, 2014-2026.