Chief Bud Williams (West Life photo by Kevin Kelley)
By Kevin Kelley
Fairview Park
Today is Bud Williams’ last day as fire chief in Fairview Park.
The Bay Village native is retiring after 31 years and one week with the department. Williams was hired in 1983, promoted to lieutenant in July 1998, then to captain in December 2010. He has served as chief since March 2011.
Williams was honored with a proclamation by Mayor Eileen Patton and a resolution by Fairview Park City Council at that body’s April 21 meeting.
In brief remarks at the meeting, Williams said being a firefighter is “the greatest job in the world.”
Firefighters have the opportunity to assist persons in need, he explained later.
“You get to help people,” Williams told West Life. “Every day is different. The people I’ve worked with are tremendous.”
At the council meeting, Williams specifically hailed Michelle Dusek, the fire department’s administrative assistant, for making his job easier.
Dusek, who has worked at City Hall for three decades, said Williams was a great boss.
“He’s really easy to get along with,” she told West Life.
Bay Village, Fairview Park, Westlake and Rocky River have been studying whether to form a regional fire district. A $100,000 Ohio Local Government Innovation Fund grant awarded last year will pay for a project manager who will lead the next steps in the process.
Williams said he believed the route the cities are taking makes sense. The fire chief noted that while the process may result in a regional fire district, the cities may conclude that simply increasing the level of cooperation among fire departments is more appropriate.
“I can’t really predict where it’s going to go,” Williams said.
Several Westshore communities began studying the merits of a regional fire district in 2008. Williams noted that, in addition to the complexities involved in a potential merger of fire departments, three of the cities originally involved –Lakewood, North Ridgeville and North Olmsted – withdrew.
Asked if there was one area of accomplishment that stood out during his tenure as fire chief, Williams spoke of the fire prevention bureau. He said through cooperation, communication and education, the fire department made great strides with businesses, apartment complexes and schools in the community in reducing the chances of a fire.
Williams grew up in Bay Village, where he attended St. Raphael School. A graduate of St. Edward High School, Williams received an associate degree in fire technology from Cuyahoga Community College and completed several programs at the National Fire Academy in Maryland.
Williams will be succeeded by Capt. Tony Raffin, a 15-year veteran of the department.
“I’m very confident in the job he’s going to do,” Williams said. His advice for his successor: “Just be yourself.”
Williams said he and his wife of 35 years, Nancy, have no specific plans for retirement besides perhaps traveling to visit relatives who live across the country. The couple, who reside in North Olmsted, have two grown sons.
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