Ypsilanti appoints new fire chief with $84K salary
The city of Ypsilanti has selected a new fire chief, who will be tasked with leading the department forward as it deals with mounting budget restraints.
Captain Max Anthouard, who was serving as the interim chief, has been appointed as the permanent chief and will be earning an $84,000 salary. Anthouard's appointment becomes effective April 1.
Fire Chief Max Anthouard
Courtesy Captain Max Anthouard
Anthouard replaces Jon Ichesco, who retired following 28 years of service within the department. Ichesco retired Dec. 31 and Anthouard was named interim chief Dec. 20.
Ichesco served as both fire chief and fire marshal. The city has yet to hire a fire marshal.
Anthouard has more than 37 years of fire experience, 19 of which were the Ypsilanti Fire Department. He began his career in Ypsilanti in 1994 as a firefighter and was promoted to lieutenant in 2001 and was promoted to captain in 2008.
Prior to coming to Ypsilanti, Anthouard worked for 15 years in Paris, France as a firefighter.
In a statement, Anthouard noted the fire department is facing difficult challenges ahead.
"These challenges open doors to opportunities that I will use to deliver the best possible fire protection and EMS service to the citizens of this community," Anthouard said. "Council member (Pete) Murdock once told me, ‘Do what is best for the citizens with the resources you have,’ and I plan to do exactly that."
In January, it was announced the city was looking into creating a hybrid public safety department to help cut costs and maintain service levels.
City Manager Ralph Lange said it's "premature" to discuss Anthouard's role in the creation of the department that possibly would cross-train police officers to do firefighter duties.
Earlier this year, the city applied to receive $943,480 through the Competitive Grant Assistance Program from the state of Michigan for the creation of a hybrid department.
“The city of Ypsilanti still has a stand-alone police department and fire department," Lange said. "Chief Anthouard has been promoted to fire chief based on his excellent credentials and service to the city. At this point in time, any discussions on his role in the city creating a public safety department are premature.”
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
not a billy
Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 8:53 p.m.
Congratulations to Chief Anthouard. Promoting from within is a good thing, and Max has the qualifications to be fair and personality to deal with the politicians. Now if the city officials will leave him alone and let him run the department he will prove his capabilities.
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 1:39 a.m.
congrats! nice choice! i'm a firm believer in promoting from within in most cases.
ahi
Fri, Mar 29, 2013 : 12:39 a.m.
Glad they didn't go outside the department when there was someone qualified with local experience.
brian
Thu, Mar 28, 2013 : 11:53 p.m.
Good job Sir. The YFD and YPD are the greatest. Keep up the good work.
beardown
Thu, Mar 28, 2013 : 7:36 p.m.
"ity Manager Ralph Lange said it's "premature" to discuss Anthouard's role in the creation of the department that possibly would cross-train police officers to do firefighter duties." Lange wants to move to a hybrid department of public service, with one boss overseeing both services. Or so we have been told. So why are we then hiring new heads for both departments? Does this mean that one will be fired when the new system comes on board? Or are we just going to have three highly paid admins running one department...which seems to be in line with the new trend in Ypsi?
Mark Hergott
Thu, Mar 28, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.
How is fire fighting in Paris different from fire fighting in Michigan? In France, the army administers the Paris fire brigade. In short, the French have figured out that having different colored fire engines is not very helpful with actually putting out fires. One hopes that Chief Anthouard strives to convince Manager Lange to look towards regionalizing the fire department, and thereby breaking another hole in our four square mile tax prison.
James
Thu, Mar 28, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.
Congradulations Max, I know that you will do everything good that you are allowed. Best of luck!!!!!