Lake Twp.: No hurry to replace fire chief

The interim chief of the Lake Township Fire Department will likely remain in that position until late this year, possibly into next year, according to Mark Hummer, the township police chief and administrator.
Dave Henninger was appointed to the interim position after the former fire chief, Barrett Dorner, stepped down. His resignation was effective June 4.
Henninger had been deputy chief of the department and was overseeing its day-to-day operations after Dorner resigned.
Chief Hummer said the administration is now focusing on the renewal of a 1-mill, 5-year operating levy that helps fund the township’s fire and EMS operations. The levy generates about $237,000 annually.
Voters will decide the levy on the November ballot.
“I don’t think we’re in any hurry. Dave Henninger has indicated a willingness to stay as long as we need. Our focus right now is passing the renewal levy. I don’t think we’re going to get too aggressive on hiring a fire chief until after November; maybe into the first of the year,” Hummer said. “That would be a real critical juncture for us if that doesn’t pass. Dave is well equipped to run the department and he’s comfortable staying as long as we need him as interim.”
Dorner, who had been fire chief for about 1½ years, opted to step down on his own volition. He had replaced Bruce Moritz as chief.
Last November, voters in the township soundly rejected a 4.2-mill property tax request on the ballot: 63.7 percent against to 36.3 percent for, that would have funded the fire department.
Hummer said staffing levels in the fire department also need to be addressed.