After months of searching, Wellington now has a new fire chief with a familiar face.
City Manager Gus Collins announced former Wellington Fire Captain/EMT Tim Hay, the current fire chief of Saratoga Springs, Utah, has accepted the position, replacing John Lloyd who retired in March.
Hay will begin his duties on Sept. 13, according to a press release from the city.
Fifty-three applied for the position, then the field was narrowed to 15. A panel conducted interviews of eight candidates with Hay surfacing above the other candidates based on his experience in leading similar sized Fire/EMS Departments.
“He brings a great deal of experience and leadership skills to the City of Wellington. I am confident he will be a great asset to the City as well as the community,” Collins said.
Saratoga Springs Assistant City Manager Spencer Kyle had high praise for Hay. He said Hay had to take over department after Fire Chief Mike Penovich was killed during a traffic accident in the line of duty.
“He actually inherited a pretty difficult job cause our previous chief was very popular and very respected in the community,” said Kyle. “He had quite a bit to do in terms of rallying the troops when he got here. There was kind of a void of leadership for a few months as we tried to find our replacement fire chief.”
Hay has been the Fire Chief for Saratoga Springs since November 2007.
He has been a Fire Chief since 1989 including time spent in Mission Township in Topeka and Parsons. Hay currently helps provide emergency services to the city of 18,000 residents.
For three years, Hay has worked to add structure to his department by adding full-time positions, including full-time Captain positions to a previously part-time only department, Kyle said. Hay is also responsible for fundraising to purchase a rescue boat for the lakeside community as well as oversee training for water rescues. The fire chief has also written several emergency management policies for the City of Saratoga as well as a five-year budget for the fire department to anticipate large capital outlay and staffing changes, Spencer said.
“We’re sad to see him go. He’s worked out really well and I understand his reasons completely for leaving,” Kyle said. “I think the family is excited to be close to family.”
Hay says he’s excited to be returning to his hometown and says the chief’s position was something he’s always wanted.
“It’s home...it’s where family and friends are and I’ve always wanted to be the fire chief in Wellington. Twenty years ago I wanted to do that, and the opportunity finally came up and I was honored, out of the pool of applicants, to get the job,” Hay said.
Hay worked 10 years for City of Wellington starting in August 1978 and ending as a Captain/EMT.
Hay has more than 30 years of experience in both fire and medical response. He has a bachelors degree in fire administration and an associates degree in fire science.
He says once he gets to Wellington, the biggest challenge will be learning what needs the department has and what changes, if any, need to take place.
“They have great staff, great equipment, a nice station, so basically when I get there I am going to get input and see what the policies and procedures are and observe for a little bit,” Hay said.
Hay is the son of the late Kendall Hay, former Mayor of Wellington and Vivian Hay, former Executive Director of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. He is married to Suzanne and together they have three children – Ryan, Sydney and Dylan.
|
|
|
After months of searching, Wellington now has a new fire chief with a familiar face.
City Manager Gus Collins announced former Wellington Fire Captain/EMT Tim Hay, the current fire chief of Saratoga Springs, Utah, has accepted the position, replacing John Lloyd who retired in March.
Hay will begin his duties on Sept. 13, according to a press release from the city.
Fifty-three applied for the position, then the field was narrowed to 15. A panel conducted interviews of eight candidates with Hay surfacing above the other candidates based on his experience in leading similar sized Fire/EMS Departments.
“He brings a great deal of experience and leadership skills to the City of Wellington. I am confident he will be a great asset to the City as well as the community,” Collins said.
Saratoga Springs Assistant City Manager Spencer Kyle had high praise for Hay. He said Hay had to take over department after Fire Chief Mike Penovich was killed during a traffic accident in the line of duty.
“He actually inherited a pretty difficult job cause our previous chief was very popular and very respected in the community,” said Kyle. “He had quite a bit to do in terms of rallying the troops when he got here. There was kind of a void of leadership for a few months as we tried to find our replacement fire chief.”
Hay has been the Fire Chief for Saratoga Springs since November 2007.
He has been a Fire Chief since 1989 including time spent in Mission Township in Topeka and Parsons. Hay currently helps provide emergency services to the city of 18,000 residents.
For three years, Hay has worked to add structure to his department by adding full-time positions, including full-time Captain positions to a previously part-time only department, Kyle said. Hay is also responsible for fundraising to purchase a rescue boat for the lakeside community as well as oversee training for water rescues. The fire chief has also written several emergency management policies for the City of Saratoga as well as a five-year budget for the fire department to anticipate large capital outlay and staffing changes, Spencer said.
“We’re sad to see him go. He’s worked out really well and I understand his reasons completely for leaving,” Kyle said. “I think the family is excited to be close to family.”
Hay says he’s excited to be returning to his hometown and says the chief’s position was something he’s always wanted.
“It’s home...it’s where family and friends are and I’ve always wanted to be the fire chief in Wellington. Twenty years ago I wanted to do that, and the opportunity finally came up and I was honored, out of the pool of applicants, to get the job,” Hay said.
Hay worked 10 years for City of Wellington starting in August 1978 and ending as a Captain/EMT.
Hay has more than 30 years of experience in both fire and medical response. He has a bachelors degree in fire administration and an associates degree in fire science.
He says once he gets to Wellington, the biggest challenge will be learning what needs the department has and what changes, if any, need to take place.
“They have great staff, great equipment, a nice station, so basically when I get there I am going to get input and see what the policies and procedures are and observe for a little bit,” Hay said.
Hay is the son of the late Kendall Hay, former Mayor of Wellington and Vivian Hay, former Executive Director of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. He is married to Suzanne and together they have three children – Ryan, Sydney and Dylan.
