By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON – The city’s fire department will fall under new leadership beginning Monday, when Dean Creech is expected to be appointed to the post during the regular city council meeting.
Director of Police and Fire Services James Nardone said Creech, who most recently served as deputy chief in Dearborn before retiring in 2013, has a long history in fire service in Michigan and his native Oregon.
“The new fire chief brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and training,” Nardone said.
Creech will fill the post most recently held by Jeff Evans, a veteran of Riverview and Trenton with nearly 30 years service. Evans will continue with the department as a firefighter and paramedic.
Nardone will remain head of the city’s public safety department, which in 2013 had reorganized police and fire administration. The transition included cross-training EMS personnel, having fire marshals responsible for code enforcement and other consolidations that City Administrator Jim Wagner said provided savings in administrative costs.
Nardone said the city continues to explore shared services both internally and with neighboring agencies.
(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)