April 25, 2024

Creston FD names new assistant chief, fire marshal

By CARTER ECKL
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Creston Firefighters Ted Kinyon, left, and Gary Thompson, on the truck, control the aerial ladder to fight a fire at 805 1/2 W. Jefferson St. in Creston July 2. Thompson, who has served as captain of Creston Fire Department for the past 10 years, was recently promoted to assistant fire chief and fire marshal. (CNA photo)

Gary Thompson was officially named assistant fire chief and fire marshal on Tuesday. His promotion comes after nearly 18 years of service with the Creston Fire Department.

The promotion was approved unanimously by city council July 18.

The move comes a couple months after previous Assistant Fire Chief Mick Landers died from ampullary cancer, leaving big shoes to fill.

“Mick was a very dedicated firefighter,” said Thompson. “Can’t fill the shoes, it’ll just be different.”

“Yes, it’s big shoes to fill,” said Fire Chief Todd Jackson. “But is he capable, absolutely.”

Though Thompson’s title has changed, many of his duties will be similar to his previous role inside the department.

Thompson’s main duties will be helping with inspections such as rental inspections, liquor license inspections and life safety review for construction. Thompson will also assist Jackson and the state fire marshal in fire investigations.

“It’s my understanding that I’m going to be in charge of all the rental inspections,” said Thompson. “I’ll have a lot of the same responsibilities at the fire station and on scene, but this is just going to be the area that I specialize in.”

“He’s got the skills, he’s got a strong construction background with his electrical experience and stuff like that,” said Jackson. “So, inspections-wise he will be good and thorough. He’ll do fine.”

The position was previously just the title of assistant fire chief, but the role has been modified to better serve the community of Creston.

“We modified it this time and as I looked at it – more meaningful for Creston and our situation,” said Jackson.

The move to name an assistant chief/fire marshal is a discussion that has been ongoing statewide.

Jackson said the demands of a constantly evolving society put expectations on the fire department to have a fire marshal.

Thompson has been serving as a captain with the fire department for the past 10 years.

The career firefighter was humble in speaking about his promotion.

“A lot of the same responsibilities we had since Mick’s been gone,” said Thompson. “Just part of the job.”

Before joining the Creston Fire Department in 2000, Thompson served 12 years with the Lenox Fire Department.

Thompson will be sworn in on Thursday.

In other city council news:

• The council granted a request by CHS for a 30-day extension to respond to the city in regards to the Wastewater Pretreatment Agreement.

That action was approved unanimously, 6-0, Ward 5 representative Dave Koets was not in attendance for the meeting.

• A resolution for roof repairs to the Restored Depot was passed unanimously by the council July 18.

The repairs will will be based around the chimney and soldering in the gutters.

• A unanimous vote was cast by the council to allow Fire Chief Todd Jackson to advertise and dispose of excess and obsolete equipment.

That equipment will be disposed of via eBay, collectible websites and/or sealed bids.