Hempfield names deputy fire chief

Two months after Hempfield supervisors appointed a new fire chief to oversee the 12 stations, the township now has a deputy fire chief.

John Storey Jr., 38, of Hempfield will move from his current position as deputy director of public works to the deputy fire chief position Sunday. Storey’s position will run through Dec. 31, 2021. He will earn $62,000 this year. That will increase to $65,000 in 2020 and $68,000 in 2021.

Volunteering at the Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department for the last 16 years, Storey has spent several years working as a line officer and as a captain. He is also a state fire academy suppression instructor.

“It’s an extremely humbling opportunity that I’ve been presented with to be able to help build” Hempfield’s fire service, Storey said. “I think it’s just important that we build off the organization that’s already in place — understanding what we have to do in terms of training … making sure we’re able to move forward and get new firefighters to join the department.”

The appointment comes after Anthony Kovacic was named fire chief in June. Kovacic, who also is director of emergency services for Hempfield, will be paid $72,500 for both positions. It will increase to $77,000 in the second year of the contract and $79,000 in the third year

Kovacic said Storey will focus on the training of Hempfield volunteer firefighters along with his duties as deputy fire chief.

“It takes some of the burden off of me trying to get some things squared away,” Kovacic said of Storey’s appointment. “John is a state fire instructor, so that’s going to lend itself well. So in addition to the duties of the deputy fire chief, he’s going to coordinate the training.”

Officials have been working to have the 12 stations fall under one department head, Kovacic. An April proposal suggested assigning the 12 stations among three zones, each containing four stations. Those stations would have individual leaders to run day-to-day operations. Above them would be a deputy fire chief to handle administration and training needs. That person would report to the township fire chief.

The changes come ahead of an upcoming review by New Jersey-based Insurance Services Office Inc., or ISO — a review that has a direct correlation with a homeowner’s insurance rates. Kovacic presented a plan for Hempfield’s fire service in June, focused on a list of issues laid out in a 2018 study, including staffing, training and restructuring of the departments.