MANSFIELD — Chris Speelman’s “two more years” were finally up.
Mansfield City Council on Tuesday is expected to honor the Mansfield Fire Department assistant chief, whose retirement took effect June 24.
Speelman served 34 years in the MFD, known around the fire house for often declaring, “I have two more years,” offering the pronouncement right up to his last shift.
Speelman joined the department in 1992, the same year Bill Clinton was elected president and the first SMS text message was sent.
In that same year, the United States also sent the “Dream Team” to the Summer Olympics in Barcelona to recapture the Gold Medal in basketball.
Speelman came into the fire department on April 27 that year as part of a new eight-member firefighting “dream team” of its own.
Also taking the oath that day were Mark Sieving, who retired in 2024 as an assistant chief; Jim Odson, who retired earlier this year as a lieutenant; and firefighters Phil Dollish, who retired in 2025; James Komives (2023), Doug May (2013) and Robert Fuller (2008).
It didn’t take long for Speelman’s work to be noticed. He received the department’s Bronze Star in 1993 for his dedication to the department and community.
After serving eight years as a firefighter, Speelman was promoted to captain on Feb. 8, 2000. His final assignment in that role was at the former Station 4 on Newman Street.
On Feb. 7, 2009, he was elevated to assistant chief — a leadership post he occupied for more than 17 years assigned to A-Crew.
Throughout his tenure, Speelman helped shape the department’s operations and emergency response capabilities:
- Countywide Hazmat Leadership: Speelman served as team leader for the department’s Hazmat Team and represented the city on several Richland County Hazmat boards and the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
- Tactical EMS Expansion: Following a 2015 standoff on Randall Road, Speelman advocated for integrating paramedics into law enforcement tactical operations. His efforts laid the foundation for the current Tactical EMS program, which supports SWAT and ASORT callouts alongside ER physicians from OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.
- Mentorship & Command: As assistant chief, Speelman commanded major structure fires and mentored generations of probationary firefighters advancing through the ranks.
City Council on Tuesday is also scheduled to:
— discuss the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport economic development plan introduced to lawmakers on July 21.
— approve an agreement with OneDigital, an Atlanta-based company, to provide “professional health benefits consulting, actuarial and underwriting services.”
According to the legislation, the city sought proposals for the work on May 20 and received 10.
The city administration reviewed the plans and is recommending OneDigital “to provide necessary benefits consultation and monitoring services with respect to our health benefit related contracts.”
No dollar amount for the contract is listed in the legislation.
— vote to allow the Ohio Dept. of Transportation to do highway lighting repairs on a section of Ohio 39 within city limits.
— vote to accept a $50 donation from Nutella for the fire department.
— vote to accept a $24,772 Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services for the Mansfield Police Department’s crime analytics program. It’s similar to a grant received last year and no match is required.
— vote to accept a $45,000 grant from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council to be used for a parking lot at the Trimble Road connection to the B&O Bike Trail. No local match is required.
A City Council claims committee is scheduled to begin Tuesday at 6:50 p.m. Caucus is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the legislative session follows immediately thereafter.
(Below is legislation scheduled for consideration Tuesday evening by Mansfield City Council.)
