Joseph Petrycki resigns as Richland County EMA director
The Richland County commissioners say they will begin an immediate search for a new Emergency Management Agency director after accepting the resignation of Joseph Petrycki, effective Sept. 25. The resignation comes less than 11 months after the former Mansfield assistant police chief was hired.
Petrycki said in his resignation letter, which was submitted on Monday, “With nearly 30 years of service in the public safety sector, I have received an offer in the private sector. After careful consideration, I believe this is what is best for me and my family.”
Petrycki did not immediately return a telephone call seeking more details and comment.
Commissioner Cliff Mears said it is his understanding that Petrycki is leaving the EMA post for a new job that has better pay and better hours.
“My understanding is he’ll be working three 12-hour days and four days off, which is quite a contrast from being 24/7 nonstop,” he said. “I think that was a bit much.”
On call 24/7 for nearly 20 years
When contacted by the News Journal, Petrycki declined to provide details about his new work, but said he has been in public service for nearly 30 years and wants his life to be more private. However, he did confirm Mears’ comment about burnout.
“I’ve been on 24/7 call for nearly 20 years when I was on the (Mansfield) PD and working METRICH and that takes a toll on you,” Petrycki said. “It’s also been an active weather year and probably won’t be better until spring. It just burned me out."
The decision also was made to free up time on his schedule. Petrycki said he started taking classes in a new field and needs more time to complete independent lab work, which is done at the student’s own pace.
Overall, Petrycki said the EMA job has been great.
“It’s been a pleasure to work in public service but now is the time for me and my family to move in another direction,” he said.
Adjustments in job responsibilities possible
Mears said the board will be posting the job and also looking at the responsibilities and possibly make some adjustments to make the job “more palatable” to the next applicants.
He said Petrycki has indicated he is willing to use some of his time off at his new job to help his replacement become familiar with to the position. Petrycki was able to be mentored by his predecessor, Rick Evans, before Evans retired.
Mears said the board will not be naming an interim EMA director. Instead, the county will rely on mutual aid agreements with EMAs in surrounding counties until a replacement is named.
Mears said commissioners most likely will be looking for someone with a firefighting or law enforcement background.
“We’ll just have to see what’s out there,” he added. “I’ve received a resume from a person who doesn’t have a firefighting or police background but has a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, which I didn’t know existed.”
Petrycki was originally hired at a $51,826 annual salary, which was increased to $65,395 after a probationary period.
Jail cost study approved
In other business, commissioners approved a contract with the consulting firm Maximus to perform a jail cost study, which is required as part of an agreement for the City of Mansfield to house prisoners in the county jail. The study determines the cost the city will pay per prisoner for the next five years.
Both the city and county have to agree on a firm to do the study. Maximus has been the contractor for a number of years for the jail and other cost studies for both entities. The cost for the study will be $7,500, which is split equally between the city and county. The new contract will go into effect Jan. 1.
Commissioners also approved a $4,049 increase in the cost of a nurses’ station addition at Dayspring, the county assisted living facility. The change will allow Tussing Builders to install a pass-through window.
The board also accepted the resignation of a custodian/driver at Dayspring and authorized posting of the job. Commissioners noted that the individual only worked two days before resigning.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County commissioners accept EMA director's resignation
