PCFD Chiefs
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Chief Tim Morgan
1898-1917
The first Chief of Fire was Tim Morgan, appointed in 1898, and oversaw a volunteer company of 50 men. Morgan was instrumental in bringing the fire company into the era of motorized fire vehicles. The first piece of motorized equipment was purchased in June 1915, a 1913 Ford Runabout nicknamed "John Henry" and later referred to as the "Red Ant."
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Chief Lee J. Elliot
1917-1949
Many major shifts occurred during Chief Elliot’s tenure. In 1921, the department changed from an all volunteer department to a paid department. All horse drawn fire apparatus were replaced by shiny red motorized vehicles and the first aerial apparatus arrived for the City of Painesville. In 1921, the department consisted of seven paid men all of whom worked 24 hours on and 24 hours off. According to records, in 1940 the department augmented its staffing through the addition of volunteer firefighters. The department grew again in 1942 to nine paid members.
Many major shifts occurred during Chief Elliot’s tenure. In 1921, the department changed from an all volunteer department to a paid department. All horse drawn fire apparatus were replaced by shiny red motorized vehicles and the first aerial apparatus arrived for the City of Painesville. In 1921, the department consisted of seven paid men all of whom worked 24 hours on and 24 hours off. According to records, in 1940 the department augmented its staffing through the addition of volunteer firefighters. The department grew again in 1942 to nine paid members.
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Chief C. Gordon Smith
1949-1958
It was under Chief Smith that the department made the transition to the modern day traditional three platoon system of 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty. Smith was also responsible for increasing staffing to 18 men (6 per shift).
It was under Chief Smith that the department made the transition to the modern day traditional three platoon system of 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty. Smith was also responsible for increasing staffing to 18 men (6 per shift).
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Chief Eugene Tuthill
1958-1971
Under Chief Tuthill’s leadership the department saw the first use of SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), the passage of a fire levy (effective in 1970) for firefighting equipment, and the department’s very first rescue squad. Tuthill was also responsible for the development of the Painesville Fire Department Training Grounds which was one of, if not the, premier Training Grounds in the State of Ohio. Under Tuthill, Painesville earned the reputation of one of the best trained and equipped departments in the State of Ohio.
Under Chief Tuthill’s leadership the department saw the first use of SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), the passage of a fire levy (effective in 1970) for firefighting equipment, and the department’s very first rescue squad. Tuthill was also responsible for the development of the Painesville Fire Department Training Grounds which was one of, if not the, premier Training Grounds in the State of Ohio. Under Tuthill, Painesville earned the reputation of one of the best trained and equipped departments in the State of Ohio.
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Chief Robert Farren
1971-1981
Under Chief Farren's watch, the department's staffing was increased to 21 persons (7 per shift) in 1978. This was the first increase in staffing since 1950. Farren was instrumental in the adoption of a local smoke detector ordinance in 1979.
Under Chief Farren's watch, the department's staffing was increased to 21 persons (7 per shift) in 1978. This was the first increase in staffing since 1950. Farren was instrumental in the adoption of a local smoke detector ordinance in 1979.
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Chief Jack Martin
1981-1999
Under Chief Martin’s leadership, the department replaced and upgraded every major piece of fire apparatus. This was made possible through the passage of a permanent fire equipment levy in 1991. The department also became leaders in the area of water rescue. In 1997, the department began offering emergency medical services at the level of paramedic. In 1998, Martin was able to increase staffing to 24 persons (8 per shift).
Under Chief Martin’s leadership, the department replaced and upgraded every major piece of fire apparatus. This was made possible through the passage of a permanent fire equipment levy in 1991. The department also became leaders in the area of water rescue. In 1997, the department began offering emergency medical services at the level of paramedic. In 1998, Martin was able to increase staffing to 24 persons (8 per shift).
Chief Frank Whittaker
2000-2002
Chief Whittaker was the shortest serving chief in PCFD history, retiring in 2002 to take a position as Assistant Chief with the Painesville Township Fire Department. Under Whittaker, the first part-time civilian fire inspector was hired in 2001.
Chief Whittaker was the shortest serving chief in PCFD history, retiring in 2002 to take a position as Assistant Chief with the Painesville Township Fire Department. Under Whittaker, the first part-time civilian fire inspector was hired in 2001.
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Chief Mark Mlachak
2002-2018
Under Chief Mlachak, the department implemented EMS billing in 2003 to establish much needed funding for PCFD. In 2007, Mlachak implemented a part-time firefighter position on each shift increasing staffing to 27 (8 full-time, 1 part-time per shift) and the position of part-time Training Coordinator to oversee and guide the training program. In 2008, staffing was again increased to 10 persons per shift.
Under Chief Mlachak, the department implemented EMS billing in 2003 to establish much needed funding for PCFD. In 2007, Mlachak implemented a part-time firefighter position on each shift increasing staffing to 27 (8 full-time, 1 part-time per shift) and the position of part-time Training Coordinator to oversee and guide the training program. In 2008, staffing was again increased to 10 persons per shift.
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Chief Thomas C. Hummel Jr.
2019-Present
Chief Hummel took over the department in January 2019 with an extensive background in public safety. Hummel began his career in Painesville as a firefighter in April 1995. He was promoted to Lieutenant in March 2012, Fire Captain in October 2012 and Executive Captain in August 2017. While serving PCFD, Hummel has earned a Unit Citation, CSX Ribbon and 2010 Firefighter of the Year Award.
Chief Hummel took over the department in January 2019 with an extensive background in public safety. Hummel began his career in Painesville as a firefighter in April 1995. He was promoted to Lieutenant in March 2012, Fire Captain in October 2012 and Executive Captain in August 2017. While serving PCFD, Hummel has earned a Unit Citation, CSX Ribbon and 2010 Firefighter of the Year Award.