Courtesy photo
By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
Two firefighters, Riley Swartz and Ted Eberhart, were honored and presented with Life-Saving Pins at the City Commission meeting Tuesday evening.
They were credited with efforts that likely saved the lives of two motorcycle riders injured in a horrendous crash August 21st.
Both firefighters responded to the very serious vehicle vs. motorcycle crash just east of the City of Clare. Assistant Fire Chief Sam Eberhart said in a memo to Mayor Pat Humphrey and the City Commission, “On that evening at approximately 8:52 pm Clare Fire was dispatched to Pere’ Marquette Road near North Shepherd Road…” where “a motorcycle with two occupants had been struck by a van. Firefighters Swartz and Eberhart were near that location and responded directly to the scene.”
Assistant Chief Eberhart continued, “On arrival they found both individuals in the ditch with both internal and external injuries and severe bleeding. No other emergency personnel were on the scene at that time so with quick thinking Firefighter Swartz used the ratchet straps from his toolbox and along with firefighter Eberhart, they used them [the straps] to secure tourniquets on the female patient’s leg to slow … the bleeding from her badly mangled leg. They also tended to the male rider and secured the scene until further help arrived. Both patients were air lifted” to hospitals.”
The Assistant Chief added, “Without their quick actions and decision making at the start of the incident, the outcome would surely have ended much worse.”
A big change is coming for the Clare Police Department.
Following the recommendation of City Manager Jeremy Howard, the City Commission voted to discontinue the City Police’s K-9 program, which was established in 2009.
Police Chief Saad made the request in a memo to the Commission.
He wrote, “When the K-9 program was first implemented we were one of only two agencies in the surrounding area with such a resource. Our K-9 unit was frequently called upon to assist neighboring departments, which ensured that both our dog and handler were well-trained and effectively utilized. However, the landscape has changed significantly since then. Today there are multiple agencies with nine K-9s available, all of which are accessible to us whenever the need arises.”
He continued, citing the expenses: training maintenance, medical care, the cost of a specialized vehicle and additional wages. “in place of the K-9 program, I propose that we shift our focus to expanding our drone program. The CPD currently operates drones, with both Sergeant Francisco and Captain Lake trained as operators. Since the retirement of Officer David, we can repurpose the K-9 vehicle into a drone deployment vehicle, enabling rapid response and enhancing our capabilities.” He listed advantages including night vision and infrared technology, reduced costs compared to a K-9 program; a safer alternative for locating dangerous suspects; monitoring large crowds; and more.
“Falco, our current K-9 will be retiring from active duty,” Saad said. “He will live out what we hope will be a long and healthy life as a family pet with his current handler, Sergeant Thomas Francisco, who will buy the canine from the City for $1.
The Commission voted to discontinue the program and convert it to the drone program and approve the sale of “Falco” to Francisco.
Another big change, this one for the Clare Fire Department was revealed last Tuesday evening.
In his City Manager’s report Jeremy Howard said, “Recently, long time Fire Chief Jim Chapman express a desire to retire from his position as Chief to be able to more fully enjoy his retirement and spend more time with his family and grandchildren. Jim’s intention is to step down from the role as chief at the end of September, 2024 and become just part-time fire personnel which will free up his responsibilities and time commitments with the department greatly. We are certainly appreciated of the decades of service Jim has given to the Fire Department and we wish him well. We will have a formal retirement recognition for him at an upcoming meeting.”
Howard continued, “Due to Jim letting me know he would be stepping down as the Chief, I had begun the process of finding the next Fire Chief. After research and much discussion, I have decided to promote Sam Eberhart, current Assistant Fire Chief, to the position of Fire Chief. Sam is more than qualified to take on this role with his current extensive fire training and certificates and I am confident that he will do a great job.”
He concluded, “Congratulations Jim on your well-deserved retirement and to Sam as he takes over the new role as Fire Chief.”
Other matters at the City included:
Approval of a MDOT State Trunkline Maintenance Agreement;
Approval of a partial Street paving Agreement for a portion of West Dunlop 500 feet west of the railroad tracks, as requested and paid for by property owners Ron Kunse and Jim Paetschow;
Discussed Code violations.
The payment of bills totaling 474,191.93.
