Bedford Township welcomes new firefighters, lieutenants
There is a new chief in town, and he is already getting to work bringing in fresh recruits and upgrading personnel.
The Bedford Township Fire Department welcomed two new firefighters and gave two promotions. At a recent Bedford Board of Trustees meeting, BFD’s new Chief Bob Vanklingeren introduced them to the public.
New firefighters Christian Deaton and Jessica Rachuba were sworn in by Bedford Township clerk Trudy Hershberger. Deaton started at age 16 as a cadet and became an EMT in 2020. He earned his firefighter certificate in 2021, and he works full-time as an EMT while joining the department as a part-time firefighter.
Rachuba began her career as a cadet at 17, and she was certified as a first responder and Michigan firefighter in 2008. She previously served on the Morin Point Fire Department; she then traveled with her husband as a military family. She recently moved back to Bedford and is now joining the department.
Vanklingeren also promoted two current firefighters to lieutenant: Lucas Fruchey and Carl Arnold.
Fruchey started his career at 16 and began EMT training in high school before becoming a Michigan-certified firefighter in 2018. He was certified as a company officer in 2019, received his paramedic license this year, and is a probationary firefighter instructor. Fruchey is also a captain with the Blissfield Fire Department.
Arnold completed firefighter training in 2001, earned his paramedic license in 2008 and company officer certification in 2008, and he received firefighter and EMS instructor certificates in 2017. He is currently enrolled in Eastern Michigan University’s Staff and Command program, and he is also a captain with the Ida Fire Department. Arnold was one of the two in-house final candidates for the chief role this year, along with Vanklingeren.
Fruchey’s father, Blissfield Fire Chief Dale Fruchey, pinned on his badge, and Arnold received his badge from Vanklingeren.
Following the ceremony, the recruits were greeted by board members, and Vanklingeren offered his thanks.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Bedford Township welcomes new firefighters, lieutenants
