Latrobe considers beefing up fire chief qualifications

Latrobe Council is looking to spell out training requirements for the fire chief position, as part of a review and update of various city ordinances.

The ordinance currently mandates only that a chief candidate have at least 10 years of firefighting experience, including five years of continuous service with Latrobe’s fire department, and reside within a five-mile radius of the central fire station, according to city manager Michael Gray.

After consulting with fire Chief John Brasile, Gray proposed that future chief candidates complete various classes and training as an additional minimum requirement for the position. At its May 10 meeting, council will consider an ordinance amendment incorporating such requirements.

Gray noted fire department officials provide him with the results of their internal election of a fire chief, which council traditionally has followed when appointing the chief.

But, he said, “I think we should have some say-so of making sure that the fire chief has some additional training and experience. When we appoint that position, we want to make sure we’re confident that the people in our community are getting the best we can offer.

“It’s no different than any other job with the city. You have to have minimum qualifications.”

According to Gray, fire chief candidates should successfully complete training on firefighting essentials, hazardous materials awareness and operations, vehicle rescues, fire truck and pump operations, alarm and sprinkler systems, the National Incident Management System, and fire and arson investigations.

“These are not unattainable by anyone,” Brasile said of the trainings. “We didn’t want to make this unattainable for anyone to become chief, but there are things that they need to have.”

Council member Christine Weller suggested a fire chief candidate also should complete management training for “dealing with people in general, dealing with conflicts.”

Mayor Rosie Wolford responded that council should focus on a candidate’s technical firefighting skills. “I don’t want to overstep too much,” she said. “I just want to make sure we have a comfort level that the person we’re appointing has at least a minimum amount of ability.”