Fire district appoints new deputy chief

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Neighbors | Submitted.The Cardinal Joint Fire District appointed Matthew D. Rarick, (right) as District's new Deputy Chief. Rarick, pictured with wife, Ellen (left) and their twin sons Tyler and Trent, was sworn into office during the Board's meeting by CJFD's attorney David Comstock.

The Cardinal Joint Fire District’s Board of Trustees appointed Matthew D. Rarick as the district’s new Deputy Chief, as he was sworn into office during the board’s regular meeting Aug. 22.

Rarick has served the district as a full-time firefighter/paramedic and its training coordinator for the past nine years and is currently co-commander of its Honor Guard.

The position of Deputy Chief became vacant in late June when Donald J. Hutchison, who had served as the Deputy Chief of the district for 10 years, was appointed as the district’s new Fire Chief.

Rarick was selected from a field of qualified candidates who were first screened by members of the Mahoning County Fire Chief’s Association, after which a subcommittee of the board interviewed the finalists and made its recommendation.

“Rarick’s outstanding qualifications and professionalism secured him the position of Deputy Chief,” said Andy Skrobola, president of the board.

His credentials include a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University, Fire Officer Level I and II, Level II Firefighter, Certified Fire Instructor, Ohio Certified Fire Safety Inspector and Certified Paramedic, which he received from Youngstown State University.

The fire district serves the residents of Canfield City and Township, responding to approximately 1,650 calls annually with 55 percent being medical emergencies. In addition to the fire chief and deputy, the department is comprised of 34 individuals, including an interim Captain, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics with only seven members being full-time.

The district is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees comprised of a member of City Council, Andy Skrobola; a resident of the city, John Morvay; a Township Trustee, Marie Izzo Cartwright; a resident of the township, Carol Potter; and a member at-large, Steve Rogers, appointed by the other four members.