Fostoria names Herbert new fire chief

FOSTORIA — A man who has spent nearly 25 years working for Fostoria Fire Division was sworn in as its new chief Tuesday evening. Chief Brian Herbert was sworn in by Mayor Eric Keckler during the Fostoria City Council meeting. Herbert grew up in Luckey and graduated from Eastwood High School in 1986. He received an emergency medical technician and volunteer firefighter certificate about three years later. "I was a volunteer with Troy Township," he said. Herbert received a fire officers certificate from Owens Community College about 10 years after graduation. He started working full-time in firefighting Feb. 6, 1993, when he began working at Fostoria Fire Division. Herbert said he took the interim chief's job to see the position and what it was like and to keep it local. He had served as the interim chief for about six months. "It was good. … The changes we did make, the guys were behind 100 percent," he said. One of Herbert's goals is to get the department's training back up to where it needs to be. It had been neglected due to city funds, he said. Shifts had had a three-person crew. Herbert said it was difficult to send someone to a class or to outside training, which makes it difficult to train while on duty. "We're at five (per shift) now," he said. Herbert said he hopes to reach six per shift, with a four-person minimum, with a grant from Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response. The department probably is going to have to give another test, he said. "We only had three candidates apply," he said. Fostoria Fire Division's roster has 16 crew members and would increase to 18 with hires. Herbert said the people who work at the department are top-notch. The things that are asked of them to perform on a daily basis are above and beyond the average fire department, he said. More is expected of them because of the low staffing, and they continue to step up and do their job, he said. Also Tuesday, Cory Gregg was sworn in as a lieutenant for Fostoria Fire Division. Before the swearing-in ceremonies, Mike Shultz addressed city council members about a fire at his son's home on Maple Street. He raised concerns with hydrants not working and about manpower. The city has plenty of water and can't get it into town, Shultz said. "We have five reservoirs in this town," he said. In other business: • Keckler reported McDonald's plans to demolish and rebuild. The plans include having a dual drive-through window and larger dining area. • Council heard about the open Third Ward council seat. • Council heard the first reading of an amendment to the financial recovery plan, which is addressing the city's fiscal emergency. The second reading is Feb. 6, and third reading is Feb. 13.