Canton Fire Chief Retires; Successor Named

Canton Fire Chief Timothy Dunn has announced he will be retiring from the Fire Department after 27 years of service, according to a news release from Canton's Public Safety department.

Dunn’s last day will be Friday, according to the news release. Dunn first was hired to the department in 1985 as a firefighter. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2006, Battalion Chief in 2007, and Chief in 2010, the news release said.

Dunn holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Madonna University and completed Eastern Michigan University’s Staff and Command School in 2007. He also served as president of the Canton Firefighters Union, Local 2289 for 20 years.

“Tim’s excellent attitude and commitment to the organization proved to be instrumental in leading the fire department through unprecedented fiscal changes occurring over the past two years,” said Public Safety Director Patrick Nemecek in the news release.

Tim Dunn has been married to his wife, Mary, for 11 years; they have two daughters, Abigail, age 9, and Katelyn, age 8.

To fill the vacated Fire Chief’s position, internal candidates recently completed a competitive assessment center process, and Deputy Chief Josh Meier was selected as Dunn’s replacement, the news release said. Meier was hired by the department as a Public Safety Service Officer in 1997, the news release said. He became a firefighter/paramedic in 1999, and was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief last year.

Meier has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Schoolcraft College, and is a recent graduate of Fire Staff and Command School through Eastern Michigan University. He has also been an active member on the Canton Firefighter’s Union Board, the news release said.

“Josh’s knowledge of the fire service, and his long-term visions for the department will make him a good fit as Chief,” Nemecek said in the news release. “I expect his transition into the position to be a smooth one.”

Meier has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 11 years; they have two sons, Jacob, age 8, and Joseph, age 6.