New Fire Chief

[Ghetto Dog]

Chambersburg Borough Council votes to hire next fire chief
By ROB LUFF Staff writer


Chambersburg Borough Council agreed Monday to hire a new emergency services chief, two weeks after formally announcing the resignation of the former chief.

At Borough Manager Eric Oyer's recommendation, council agreed unanimously to hire William M. FitzGerald of Great Falls, Va. He will start on Nov. 2.

FitzGerald is the current fire and life safety specialist for Marriott International Inc., having served professionally in the Washington, D.C., Fire & EMS Department for nearly 30 years. He still serves as an active firefighter, volunteering for Burtonsville (Md.) Fire Department.

The new chief has an associate's degree in fire science and a certified public manager qualification from George Washington University.

Oyer contacted FitzGerald almost immediately after former chief Terry Osborne announced his resignation last month.

FitzGerald had been one of the top candidates for chief during the last search, Oyer said, and he told Oyer he would still be interested in the position if it reopened.

Oyer and David Finch, assistant borough manager interviewed FitzGerald, conferring with Deputy Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill. He was the only candidate they interviewed.

"It's very fortunate for the department that we're able to move this thing along quickly," Oyer said. "It isn't good for the fire department to have a long (wait) for a new chief."

Prior to hiring Osborne, the position had been open for more than two years. Osborne resigned on Aug. 25 after about 18 months of service to the borough to move closer to his family in the Philadelphia area.

Assistant Chief Bill Dubbs is the current interim chief, reprising his role from the two-year gap before Osborne started.

FitzGerald is to take the helm on Nov. 2, with a salary of $79,000. He was not present at Monday's council meeting.

Following the unanimous vote, council member Sharon Bigler clapped, expressing her approval.

Council member Mary Beth Shank was absent.

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Rob Luff can be reached at 262-4754 or rluff@publicopinionnews.com.

[Loo for life]

Congrats to Billy!

[Tk_3_Barman]

Good job Chief Fitzgerald!

They are a lucky group of firemen to say the least! If you lead them the way you lead us they will have no complaints at all.

[RUBES CUBE]

Hey, Fitz don't drop the ball there like you did here with the Rosenbaum Situtation, like you Doug & Thompson did here...Thanks Buddy;)

[Truth]

Hey Hook this is a DCFD thread. Maybe you should hang out in the West Virginia threads.:eek:

[Loo for life]

Hook you dont have to like what I said but that doesn't really matter to me! I knew Billy long before you were on the job! Your opinion is yours and that is fine but it is just that as is mine!

[Tk_3_Barman]

Well Hook I will give you your opinion as it is yours to have and agree that some people did not like the way things were handled in the last year he was in office, but remember this is only one man and there were others making decisions up there that he had to follow.
I have know Chief Fitzgerald since I was a little kid still living in NY when he would come up to ride with my old man. He is a stand up guy and will bend over backwards to help anyone as long as they are in the right.
I don't know of the incident with his son (and you really should not throw that out there like that) but if it were me and it were my son I would do what I could to protect him as well. I believe you would do the same Hook. In fact I know you would protect your son.

Anyway that’s just my opinion.

Brian McAllister

[RUBES CUBE]

Well Hook I will give you your opinion as it is yours to have and agree that some people did not like the way things were handled in the last year he was in office, but remember this is only one man and there were others making decisions up there that he had to follow.
I have know Chief Fitzgerald since I was a little kid still living in NY when he would come up to ride with my old man. He is a stand up guy and will bend over backwards to help anyone as long as they are in the right.
I don't know of the incident with his son (and you really should not throw that out there like that) but if it were me and it were my son I would do what I could to protect him as well. I believe you would do the same Hook. In fact I know you would protect your son.

Anyway that’s just my opinion.

Brian McAllister
Hey Barman, it's great that he was your friend. But it does not change the fact that because of the decisions Fitz made or did not make lead us to where we are now. If he would have spoke out on many issues, it could changed the way things are now. Bottom line if your not part of the solution your part of the problem.

And I am sure Thompson, Doug, Rubin, Brian, the list goes on & on all have friends too. (Well...maybe not, Brian)

Anyway that's just my opinion.

[Tk_3_Barman]

Cube,
I also understand and appreciate your opinion. I guess I know him on a different level than some and can understand that some people do not like what has taken place and can shed some blame on him. I agree during his administration that things started to spiral downward but I am just bringing to light that he was not really the decision maker during that period.
I am not making excuses for peoples actions although it might appear that way; I am just trying to wish a friend congratulation for advancing his career.

[regs1]

Tk 3 Barman:

Not to ask a dumb question, but he was an AFC, if he was not involved in decision making process, who was?
I know personally that he was involved in making promotions to BFC and above.

[Sid Vicious II]

Great post Hook, you hit the nail on the head with Fitz. He got promoted to AFC and had a chance to make a difference. But what did he do? Not a fucking thing, and all his little suck asses(aka TK3Barman) tried to blame it on that asshole Doug Smith. I call bullshit. He was a legend up until the rank of DFC, but ruined that in my opinion as an AFC.

And as far as him getting special treatment for his shitbag son, I hope he didn't burn all of his favors with Larry. Rumor has it Little Fitz is in trouble again. All of you guys that have been in trouble for DUI/DWI might want to pay close attention to how this unfolds. Stand by, it should get interesting!!!!! If he knows what is good for him, he better hurry up and join the BBQ Team. LMFAO!

[Sid Vicious II]

Rumor has it, if you are a member of the BBQ Team and you get in trouble, just call the BUBE on his cell phone and he will clear everything up. The DFC of the Internal Affairs Division doesn't even need to get involved, I know this for a fact, he told me personally.

[Tk_3_Barman]

little suck asses(aka TK3Barman)


Now thats something I am not accussed of often:D

[RUBES CUBE]

Great comeback post Mr.Viscious......he probably wont get in trouble, because as it had been reported on Fox 5 a few months ago, an unreported DUI thats discovered 2 years later, gets a 36hour suspension from Dennis Rubin. Assault with a deadly weapon.....Ahh Dennis will just give you a verbal reprimand....So lil Fitzypoo will be protected again and again or be hired in Pa once Larry is gone:)
Sid do you mean if I was a member of the BBQ team and fed Rubin and Larrys fat bellies, I wouldnt have been disciplined.:eek::eek::(
So, it is true this guy walking around with "Ankle-Jewelry" & shorts ???
Damn !! One test Captain pay, a Capt Coleman Witch-hunt, & now this !!

We are all suckers...Hey "Douggie", come on man !!!