MANSFIELD — Joshua Krueger thought he wanted to become a police officer. Then he got his EMT certification and it led him down a different path.
“I did my ride time with Sandusky Fire Department and decided this is exactly what I want to,” said Krueger, the newest lieutenant with the Mansfield Fire Department.
Krueger was sworn in to his new role during a brief ceremony Monday morning.
“It’s a really good opportunity,” he said. “I’m excited to see my professional growth.”
Krueger, 28, began his career as a part-time firefighter in Willard and in Perkins Township before joining the Mansfield Fire Department six years ago.
“Josh is taking the role of Lieutenant, which is our first-line supervision,” said Fire Chief Daniel Crow said. “Lieutenants are responsible for a crew within a station.”
“They’re an operation supervisor, so they’re going to be responding to calls with their crew and making sure their crews are well-trained, well-equipped and operating as efficiently as possible.”
Krueger’s wife Haleigh pinned his badge during the ceremony.
“I’m really excited for him and see what the future holds,” she said.
Krueger’s parents, Karl and Revonda, were also in attendance. Revonda said she wasn’t a bit surprised to hear about her son’s promotion.
“He has been a go-getter from Day One,” she said.
Chief Daniel Crow, right, hands new officer Tylor Danals his helmet during a swearing in ceremony Monday. 
Mansfield Fire Department Chief Daniel Crow, left, and Lt. Joshua Krueger. 
Mansfield Safety Service Director Keith Porch shakes hands with newly sworn in Lt. Joshua Krueger of the Mansfield Fire Department. 
Haleigh Krueger pins a lieutenant badge on her husband, Joshua, during a ceremony at the Mansfield Fire Department. 
Mansfield Fire Chief Daniel Crow, right, hands Lt. Joshua Krueger his new fire helmet. 
Mansfield Fire Chief Daniel Crow, right, hands Lt. Joshua Krueger his new fire helmet.
Department welcomes Danals, a fourth generation firefighter
Safety Service Director Keith Porch also swore in the department’s newest firefighter, Tylor Danals.
Danals is a 2022 Ontario High School graduate and a fourth-generation firefighter.
“It’s something that I’ve always really wanted to do. I love helping people,” Danals said. “This feels very purposeful for me.”
Danals is a certified EMT. After a week of orientation with the department, he’ll attend the Ohio Fire Academy to obtain his certification.
“(Being a firefighter) is a big honor,” Crow told Danals during the ceremony.
“It’s a profession that requires integrity. It requires courage and it requires a very deep commitment to wanting to help people and serve the community. Congratulations to you for accepting that challenge.”
Before administering Danal’s oath, Porch shared his own congratulations with the new officer.
“You’re coming on to one of the best departments in the state and I know that in this profession, you will change lives and for the better,” he said.
Danals was joined by his father, uncle and mother’s cousin — all firefighters. His father, Bob, said he was honored to see Tylor following in his footsteps.
“It really shocked me, because I didn’t guide him towards it or anything,” said Danals, who retired from the Springfield Township Fire Department. “He just got that bug in him, I guess, from seeing me around it.”
Danals said the biggest piece of advice he’s received from his father and uncle, retired Mansfield Fire Department officer Tom Sqrow, is to always work hard.
“It’s something you’re always going to be learning,” Danals said. “You don’t want to get complacent in the job.”
