Atlas Twp.-The pending retirement of James Naugler, township fire chief was announced at Monday’s Atlas Township board meeting.
Naugler’s next in command, Fred Forys, is slated to fill the position.
A request was made by Naugler to the board that he be allowed to resign his position by July 15. Naugler cited his desire to move close to Inkster’where he is an employee of the Inkster Valley Golf Club? as his reason for retiring.
‘Jim has done an excellent job,? said Paul Amman, township supervisor. ‘He stepped in in some trying times. We owe Jim a debt of gratitude and a ‘thank you.??
Naugler has been fire chief in the township since 2001, when he replaced Donald Welch following his resignation.
This is the second time Naugler will retire from the ATFD. The first was October 30, 1997. Naugler was later named interim chief following Welch’s departure from the department, before signing on as chief for the second time.
Naugler said he will miss his time at the fire department.
‘I’ve enjoyed it throughout the years,? said Naugler. ‘I’ve enjoyed working with the firefighters.?
Forys has been a member of the department since 1983,
‘The bottom line is he’s a hard worker and deserves a chance,? said Amman.
At the time of the board meeting, Forys was the only person to have yet applied for the job.
?(Forys) would be an excellent choice,? said Naugler. ‘He deserves it and he has the time.
‘He’s been an excellent officer and will be a great leader. He’d be my recommendation (for the position).?.
‘I’m pleased to be selected as the next chief,? said Forys, who is currently a captain for the fire department.
On June 30, Forys plans to retire from his job at General Motors, where he has been an employee for 34 years.
Though Forys said he feels things are running smoothly at the department, he said he intends to focus efforts on getting a lower Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) rating for the township.
Basically, how fast you get water to a scene and the type of equipment you have will raise or lower your rating, said Forys.
Ultimately, lower ratings saves money for homeowners, said Forys. The process would probably take a year or better, he added.
Forys said his favorite part of his involvement with the fire department is interaction with the public.
‘It’s helping the people,? said Forys when asked what he most enjoys about his work.
‘When everything goes right at the fire scene or an accident, it makes you really feel good? it makes you really want to keep on doing it.?