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Council accepts Holescher resignation; City Fire department moves forward
By Denise Schoppe
Staff Writer
The Marlin Democrat
September 07, 2005
The Marlin City Council unanimously voted on Monday, August 29, to accept the resignation of Tony Hoelscher as Marlin Fire Chief effective immediately.
Following an executive session, the council voted to pay Hoelscher the balance of two weeks notice of employment plus all legal benefits, however his employment with the city would end immediately.
After approximately four years of service to Marlin, Hoelscher tendered his letter of resignation two weeks ago citing lack of cooperation, double standards and harassment from the city manager's office for his decision to leave. He served as Fire Chief, Fire Marshall, Fire Inspector, Safety Director, Emergency Management Coordinator and Homeland Security Director for the city.
Hoelscher was not present at the meeting, however with his letter of resignation he submitted a listing of things accomplished in his years with the city.
Among his many accomplishments, Hoelscher corrected 68 violations from the State Fire Commission, raised the moral of the fire personnel through arranging vacations and holiday time as well as through cutting overtime and correcting disparity over work/pay time, raised over $120,000 through donations, grants and fire recovery for the station, and in his time at the station there were no fatalities.
City Manager Randall Holly praised Hoelscher for straightening up the fire department, but said there has come to be a difference of opinion on how things should be handled.
Following the council vote, Council member Elizabeth Nelson acknowledged the work the fire department does and conveyed her confidence that their success would continue.
"We have confidence in the firemen... and I know that they will continue to do a good job and work with the volunteers and be a top-notch fire department," she said.
Following the resignation of Hoelscher as fire chief, Holly said that the Assistant Chief, Sam Morgan, has taken over duties as head of the department.
"We are currently [searching for a new chief], but Sam has stated he does not want to be considered for the position and stay in the capacity as chief permanently," Holly said.
Both Station 1 and Station 2 have remained open and they will continue to do so as possible.
"Citizens should see activity at both stations always," Holly said. "The only deviation is if we lose one of our seasoned firefighters and we have a trainee on duty. They can not be left at the station alone. In a situation such as that, only one station will be open and the men on duty will alternate between the two stations."
Holly explained that at full capacity, three men will be on duty at all times. At that time, two men will be at one station, while one mans the other. In a case in which there are only two men on duty, if both are seasoned firefighters, both stations will still be open with one man at each. However, if one of the men on duty is a trainee, then one station will be closed and both will be at the other station.
The smaller fire department staff is a result of the city's recent reorganization efforts to save money. The department was lowered in size with the understanding that the Marlin Volunteer Fire Department will be relied on during emergencies, creating a joint effort between the two departments.
On Thursday, Sept. 1, the paid fire department and volunteer department had their first joint training session to begin putting the new system into effect. The two departments, along with city council members and other city officials, met at the Marlin Volunteer Fire Department to begin getting acquainted with the equipment each department will provide during emergencies.
Further training sessions will be held to ensure that all members of the departments are prepared to work together quickly and efficiently in an emergency.
By Denise Schoppe
Staff Writer
The Marlin Democrat
September 07, 2005
The Marlin City Council unanimously voted on Monday, August 29, to accept the resignation of Tony Hoelscher as Marlin Fire Chief effective immediately.
Following an executive session, the council voted to pay Hoelscher the balance of two weeks notice of employment plus all legal benefits, however his employment with the city would end immediately.
After approximately four years of service to Marlin, Hoelscher tendered his letter of resignation two weeks ago citing lack of cooperation, double standards and harassment from the city manager's office for his decision to leave. He served as Fire Chief, Fire Marshall, Fire Inspector, Safety Director, Emergency Management Coordinator and Homeland Security Director for the city.
Hoelscher was not present at the meeting, however with his letter of resignation he submitted a listing of things accomplished in his years with the city.
Among his many accomplishments, Hoelscher corrected 68 violations from the State Fire Commission, raised the moral of the fire personnel through arranging vacations and holiday time as well as through cutting overtime and correcting disparity over work/pay time, raised over $120,000 through donations, grants and fire recovery for the station, and in his time at the station there were no fatalities.
City Manager Randall Holly praised Hoelscher for straightening up the fire department, but said there has come to be a difference of opinion on how things should be handled.
Following the council vote, Council member Elizabeth Nelson acknowledged the work the fire department does and conveyed her confidence that their success would continue.
"We have confidence in the firemen... and I know that they will continue to do a good job and work with the volunteers and be a top-notch fire department," she said.
Following the resignation of Hoelscher as fire chief, Holly said that the Assistant Chief, Sam Morgan, has taken over duties as head of the department.
"We are currently [searching for a new chief], but Sam has stated he does not want to be considered for the position and stay in the capacity as chief permanently," Holly said.
Both Station 1 and Station 2 have remained open and they will continue to do so as possible.
"Citizens should see activity at both stations always," Holly said. "The only deviation is if we lose one of our seasoned firefighters and we have a trainee on duty. They can not be left at the station alone. In a situation such as that, only one station will be open and the men on duty will alternate between the two stations."
Holly explained that at full capacity, three men will be on duty at all times. At that time, two men will be at one station, while one mans the other. In a case in which there are only two men on duty, if both are seasoned firefighters, both stations will still be open with one man at each. However, if one of the men on duty is a trainee, then one station will be closed and both will be at the other station.
The smaller fire department staff is a result of the city's recent reorganization efforts to save money. The department was lowered in size with the understanding that the Marlin Volunteer Fire Department will be relied on during emergencies, creating a joint effort between the two departments.
On Thursday, Sept. 1, the paid fire department and volunteer department had their first joint training session to begin putting the new system into effect. The two departments, along with city council members and other city officials, met at the Marlin Volunteer Fire Department to begin getting acquainted with the equipment each department will provide during emergencies.
Further training sessions will be held to ensure that all members of the departments are prepared to work together quickly and efficiently in an emergency.
