SHELBY, Ohio — Mike Thompson of Shelby was sworn in Friday as Shelby’s new fire chief.
Family, friends and fellow firefighters watched as the 14-year Shelby firefighter took his oath of office, administered by Mayor Steve Schag.
“We’re so thankful for his service in the fire department these many years,” Schag said. “And he’s worked hard to put himself in a position to become fire chief. He does have a wealth of experience. His life is marked by, of course, integrity, intelligence and the respect of his peers, so I believe we’re blessed to have him serving the citizens of Shelby, and I do look forward to working with him in the future.”
The mayor thanked Scott Hartman, former fire chief, for his 23 years of service. Hartman retired on Jan. 7. He also thanked acting fire chief Jeff Burrer for helping bring about a “seamless” transition.
“I think one of the best compliments we could pay to Mr. Burrer was the fact that it was almost like he had been in that position for three years, not three months,” Schag said.
Thompson said he learned a lot from Hartman, his predecessor. Though Thompson doesn’t plan on maintaining the role of fire chief for 23 years like Hartman, he said, “I will do my best in the time that I am here.”
“It’s a big job with a lot of responsibility,” Thompson shared. But it’s also a job he’s willing to take on with the help and support of the fire department staff and the community, he said.
He said these last few days have been somewhat of a whirlwind, having found out last Friday that he scored the highest out of five Shelby firefighters who took the civil service test administered by the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association. Taking this test is required in order for one to become a fire chief.
“It was a meat-grinder,” he said of the test.
He also just served his last day as a part-time maintenance employee at Plymouth-Shiloh Local Schools on Wednesday.
He worked at Plymouth-Shiloh Schools for 22 years–the first eight years he spent working as a teacher.
A Shelby graduate of 1988, he earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and learning disabilities from Muskingum University in 1992.
Right out of college, he began working at Plymouth-Shiloh Schools. He eventually grew interested in firefighting and began serving as a volunteer firefighter for the Shiloh Fire Department.
For the last 14 years, he’s been working fulltime at Shelby Fire Department, and he continues to serve on a volunteer basis at the Shiloh Fire Department.
As fire chief, he will oversee three captains, nine firefighters and 12-15 volunteer firefighters. His brother, Brad Thompson, also serves in the department.
He said he never intended to become a fire chief. “It just kind of evolved that way,” he said.
Mayor Steve Schag thanked Scott Hartman, former fire chief, for his 23 years of service. Hartman retired on Jan. 7. He also thanked acting fire chief Jeff Burrer for helping bring about a “seamless” transition.
