Painesville City Names New Fire Chief for 2019

At the Painesville City Council meeting on October 15, City Council confirmed City Manager Monica Irelan appointee, Captain Tom Hummel, as the next Fire Chief of the City of Painesville. Hummel will replace retiring Fire Chief Mark Mlachak beginning in January 2019.  Irelan began her search earlier this year when current Chief Mlachak announced his retirement plans after serving the city for 38 years. Painesville City Charter, article XI, section 4, requires that the fire chief be appointed from within the department’s officers.

 

Hummel joined the Painesville City Fire Department in April 1995 as a firefighter and soon after was selected to become a paramedic. He was promoted to lieutenant in March 2012 and promoted to captain in October 2012.  He was assigned to the position of executive captain in 2017. Prior to Painesville, Hummel worked for the Chardon Fire Department and continues to serve Chardon on a part-time basis.

 

Hummel has also served as president of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 434 for a number of years. He has served as department fleet maintenance officer, where he was responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all emergency vehicles, and as executive captain, his duties including training officer, oversight of day to day operations of line officers and assisting the fire chief in duties.

  

Hummel was instrumental in obtaining the Bureau of Workers Compensation Safety Grant in 2017, saving the department $40,000 in equipment, and securing FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant in 2018, saving the department $140,000 in breathing apparatuses. 

 

Hummel was awarded the flood campaign ribbon in 2006, the CSX campaign ribbon in 2007, a unit citation ribbon in 2011 and Firefighter of the Year award in 2010.

 

“Captain Hummel has displayed, over the years, a drive and desire to make this department a better department for both the residents and the firefighters. He has always been reliable and has shown himself to be a leader who is both fair and just,” said Painesville Fire Chief Mlachak.

 

Hummel will be the ninth fire chief for the City of Painesville since 1898 and will begin his role on January 1, 2019.