By Elizabeth Lowe
Staff writer

Hadley Twp. – For the past month, Hadley Township Fire Department has operated under a new leader.
Hadley fire chief Kurt Nass, a 15-year veteran of the department, replaced former fire chief George Lieber July 1. A lifetime resident of Hadley, the new chief inherited his interest in fighting fires from his father, Richard Nass, a former Hadley fire chief and 30-year firefighter.
‘When I was a child I had the fortune to go to fires with my dad,? said Kurt. ‘The fire department membership was a make of long-time residents. Everyone knew everyone.?
In those days, kids would help pick up and clean equipment, and fight fires alongside their dads, he says, although liability prevents similar participation today.
Kurt was hired in 1990, receiving his Firefighter I and II certification by 1991. He estimates he’s been involved in more than 600 fires, and is certified in dealing with hazardous materials, utilities, arson investigation, incident command, national incident management, and as a Michigan First Responder, as well as Fire Officer I and II.
The training isn’t over.
While residents are used to the sight of fire vehicles in parades and in action, they may not realize the commitment’and time’firefighters make.
On average, the department responds to 220 emergency runs per year, mostly medical, at all hours of the day or night. About 35 percent of runs involve fires, investigations, and auto accidents.
To become a firefighter, candidates must attend two weekly three-hour classes, plus six months of classes on weekends. All firefighters’including those newly hired’are required to attend monthly department business and training meetings, each about three hours long.
Some months firefighters go to multiple training meetings. In addition, firefighters attend mandatory training sessions on such topics as blood-borne pathogens and sexual harassment.
‘National and state governments continue to create new laws, standards, and regulations, making it harder and harder for part-time departments to be compliant,? says Kurt, who feels lawsuits filed by members, residents, and insurance companies are the biggest challenge faced by today’s fire departments.
‘It’s a never ending cycle.?
The department has historically taken pride in its success at fighting structure fires, and has been unsurpassed in pump operations, arriving on scene with 6,100 gallons of water while another 2,000 gallons is automatically en route from the next closest department giving mutual aid, said Kurt.
It’s been a smooth transition from Lieber’s five-year administration, says Kurt, who will continue carrying out some of the former fire chief’s plans, along with putting new goals in place.
‘In the last five years we have made great strides in strengthening the administrative end of fire department operations,? he said.
The improvement may end up saving homeowners on insurance premiums, when the department attempts to reduce township ISO (fire safety) ratings.
Beginning January 2006, Hadley Township Fire Department will begin a three-year cycle of training’partially via computer’to recertify firefighters, keeping pace with medical certification requirements. Reducing paperwork with administrative computer programs is another goal, says Kurt.
The new fire chief receives per-call pay, like all other Hadley firefighters, but his plans for the department will keep him busier than ever.
‘There’s a lot of work to do, and it never ends,? he said.