Thomas comes to the township after serving 27 years with Howland Twp. Fire Department in northeast Ohio. He served in the capacity of assistant fire chief for the past 11 years.
“I’ve been in the (Fairfield Twp.) station the last couple of days … it’s been exciting to meet the staff,” Thomas said. “I’m very pleased to be here; it’s a wonderful community.”
Thomas was selected as fire chief against two other candidates — Thomas Snively of the Middletown Fire Department and James Neidard of Washington Twp. Fire Department in Montgomery County, both who serve as deputy fire chiefs.
“(Thomas) had the best combination of qualifications, experience, education and willingness to live in the area,” Rahall said.
After a 12-month probationary period, Rahall said Thomas’ employment contract has no term limits. Thomas is relocating to Fairfield Twp. with his wife Kathy of 34 years.
Thomas said the Fairfield Twp. department is similar in size to his previous community, which was slightly more populous and had a higher call volume.
“It’s a good fit for me and is fairly close to what I was experiencing,” Thomas said. “I was in the market for a fire chief’s job.”
Thomas holds certifications in fire instruction; EMS instruction; and fire safety inspection instruction. He is a graduate of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association’s Ohio Fire Executive Department — a two and a half year program as prep for fire chief.
The Fairfield Twp. Fire Department has been on shaky ground since May when the township fired longtime Chief David Downie over disciplinary infractions. In mid-September, Assistant Chief Benjamin Bultman resigned after allegedly hacking into township computers to retrieve confidential records.
Interim Chief Trish Brooks — who retired from Forest Park Fire Department — will have her last day Nov. 30.
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