Derek Shaffer drops 'interim' label and becomes the fire chief for Uniontown
LAKE TWP. – Derek Shaffer served as interim fire chief for Uniontown for the last seven months.
That label was dropped this week.
Shaffer, 46, a 26-year veteran of the department, became the fire chief Tuesday night. He was sworn in by the nine-member Uniontown Fire Department Board of Directors.
"I don't see a lot of changes happening," Shaffer said Thursday. "We have a great group of guys and girls. The success is really to them. They've done a great job through this pandemic."
The department is a mixture of six full-time employees and 29 part-time employees.
Shaffer, a 1993 Lake High graduate, has resided in Uniontown with his wife Laura for 26 years. They have three children - daughter Kait Erb, 26, and sons Alex, 25 and Colton, 11.
Prior to his new position, Shaffer served as assistant fire chief.
"My love for the community I hold dear to my heart," he said.
Hails from a firefighting family
Shaffer's father, Jeff, spent over 15 years with on the Uniontown department and served as director of the former Lake EMS service. His brother, Steve, is a fire lieutenant for Uniontown.
Shaffer's son-in-law, Max Erb, also works part-time for Uniontown as a firefighter and paramedic and a full-time firefighter and paramedic for the city of Canton.
"I have a lot of personal family history and a lot of love for the Uniontown Fire Department. I want to continue its rich history," Shaffer said.
Shaffer replaced Tom Wiles.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Derek Shaffer sworn-in as new fire chief for Uniontown department
