Goodrich resident Donald Welch has been named administrative fire chief in Mt. Morris, Township.
Welch, 53, was selected from approximately 13 candidates for the position.
‘I’m excited? I’m happy,? says Welch. It’s going to be a challenge.?
Mt. Morris recently combined three fire stations? each previously operated independently? to now be under direction of one fire chief. Welch says he now leads 75 firefighters, serving a population of nearly 25,000.
Welch says though he was initially uncertain how well the new system would be received, he’s encountered few problems.
Welch had previous experience as administrative fire chief in Atlas township, where he was employed for three years. His employment with the township ended controversially in 2001.
At that time, problems arose concerning conflict-of-interest issues with the purchase of Atlas Township Fire Department uniforms from a shop owned by Welch’s wife, Brenda.
In addition to his experience from working in Atlas, Welch also has an associates degree in fire science from Mott Community College in Flint and is a student at the National Fire Academy’s executive fire officer program headquartered in Emmitsburg, MD.
Welch is also currently an employee of Delphi.