New Deputy Fire Chief Named in Canton

Firefighter Joshua Meier has been promoted to Canton Fire Department’s new Deputy Chief, according to a statement released by Fire Chief Tim Dunn on Monday.

Meier, 35, has been a firefighter and paramedic with the department for 11 years, after first working as a Public Safety service officer.

Meier has been active in the department serving as the IAFF Local 2289 union vice-president and president.  He is also a member of the department’s training committee and the Western Wayne Urban Search and Rescue team. 

Township officials created the deputy fire chief title after the recent retirement of Fire Marshal Frank Barrett, when the position was re-evaluated to incorporate additional duties, without increasing the salary, using the new title, Dunn's statement said.

“In a time of constant internal evaluation for cost-savings and methods of doing business more effectively, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to combine the fire marshal duties with some additional administrative duties,” Dunn said.

Meier's duties include overseeing the department’s extensive internal and external training programs, currently administered by command officers, and working as shift supervisor.  The deputy chief will also assist Dunn with administrative tasks and projects, while still performing fire marshal duties.

“I am eager to break ground with this new position, and am confident the assessment center identified the best candidate to get the job done,” Dunn said.

Meier and his wife Lisa have been married for nine years and have two sons ages 6 and 4.