Cardinal fire district swears in new chief

July 2, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Don Hutchison has finally reached a goal he said he’s had since he was 10.

Hutchison, who began his firefighting career in 1978, was sworn in Monday as chief of the Cardinal Joint Fire District. He’s been acting as chief since Robert J. Tieche, 63, died suddenly May 29.

The fire district serves the city of Canfield and Canfield Township.

Marie Cartwright, vice chairwoman of the fire district’s board of trustees, said Hutchison, 51, was the natural choice to take over for Tieche, who’d been with the department for more than 30 years.

Hutchison joined the district in 1989, when it was still Canfield Fire Department, and was named deputy fire chief in 2001.

“He was chosen as chief because he’s been our deputy chief, and he was groomed by Chief Tieche for this position,” Cartwright said.

She said his education, experience and relationships with other department members made the decision easy.

“He has a proven track record with the district,” she said. “And he has earned the respect of his peers and subordinates.”

Hutchison said he was honored to step into the role of chief, and he didn’t plan to change the way the department operates.

“Why change a good thing?” he said. “Chief Tieche and I had three projects in the works. Those are our goals for the next 12 to 18 months.”

Hutchison said those projects are employing new fire officers, purchasing a new fire apparatus and lowering the district’s Insurance Services Office ratings — which determines the insurance rates for residents.

The new chief said though he’s finally achieved a goal he’s had since childhood, the circumstances in which he obtained the job is bittersweet.

“I feel sad about the way this situation happened,” he said. “But I will continue what Chief Tieche started.”

Michael Brown, a district firefighter, said Hutchison is a man who is passionate about his job.

“This is his life,” he said. “He lives, breathes and eats this fire department.”