Newark Fire Chief Patrick Connor to become Plain Township's next assistant fire chief
After about 28 years serving the city of Newark, Patrick Connor will become Plain Township's next assistant fire chief in the new year.
Plain Township Fire Department announced Connor was selected to become their agency's next assistant fire chief in a press release Tuesday night.
Connor in an interview with The Advocate said the opportunity for the new position was best for himself and his family going forward. According to Connor, Plain Township was looking for an assistant fire chief to succeed its current chief, Jack Rupp, who has been in fire service for 48 years. Connor said if all goes well, the goal is for him to become Plain Township's next fire chief.
"I am excited for a new venture, some new challenges, and it was the best for my family and myself at this time," Connor said. Reflecting on his time at Newark Division of Fire, Connor said the experience he gained was wonderful and difficult to put into words. "I've been given opportunities by the fire department management and I've promoted up through the ranks over the years and served in almost every single position the department offers. Throughout that time, I think the fire department has moved steadily forward and as chief, I've worked hard to bring the department even more so to today's day and age."
What Patrick Connor accomplished as Newark's fire chief
Among his team's accomplishments in his tenure, he included several million dollars in SAFER grant money acquired to increase department staffing from 72 to 84, two new fire stations (downtown Newark and Sharon Valley Road), the installation of hundreds if not thousands of smoke detectors in the community to less fortunate individuals, the replacement of several apparatus, and the recent purchase and implementation of a records management system and hardware.
"Newark has been wonderful to me and my family. I will miss it. This opportunity now that presented itself to me appeals to my life right now, an opportunity I can't turn down," Connor said. "I'm eternally grateful to Newark, which provided for my family and provided a wonderful life for me over the last 28 years."
Connor's last day with Newark will be Jan. 14 and he takes on his new role in Plain Township three days later.
According to ThisWeek Community News, Connor will be paid an annual salary of $110,000 in his new position.
In January, Newark City Council approved a 4% annual raise for its police and fire chiefs, and their deputy chiefs, for the next three years. the fire chief earned $88,349 last year. In 2021, he was to receive $91,883 and an increased salary of $99,381 in the coming year.
Connor added Newark Division of Fire and its staff are second to none, and he considered it an honor to serve alongside them. The chief also volunteers in his spare time for Newton Township Fire Department, where his family lives, and he will maintain that volunteer work.
Connor was appointed to his current position by Mayor Jeff Hall in 2015. He marked the city's 12th fire chief since Newark started its fire division in 1869. He'd previously been serving as interim chief since then-Chief Jack Stickradt retired in October 2014.
Hall will appoint the city's next fire chief and Connor said the process to select his successor has begun.
More: Newark names Connor new fire chief
Connor has worked at Newark Division of Fire since 1993. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2004, captain in 2007 and assistant chief in 2002. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1991 to 1999.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark fire chief to become Plain Township's next assistant fire chief
