Rossford City Council approves new fire chief to lead full-time department

ROSSFORD, Ohio (WTVG) – Rossford City Councilmembers approved a new fire chief Monday night. The hiring comes as the department’s leadership has been in limbo for weeks.

City officials have been searching for the right person to lead the fire department from a volunteer to a full-time model.

In a few swift motions, Mayor Neil MacKinnon III nominated, and city council members voted to approve a new candidate. They named former Toledo firefighter and Deputy Chief Rick Syroka as Rossford’s newest fire chief. Syroka retired from Toledo Fire and Rescue in 2022.

“It was a long process but I was really excited when the mayor presented this candidate,” said Caroline Zuchowski-Eckel, president of Rossford City Council.

During the last city council meeting, council members did not approve the mayor’s choice for chief, Zachary Bingham. Initially, council members said they needed more time.

City Council President Zuchowski-Eckel said there were concerns with Bingham’s potential appointment but that she could not specify what those conversations were like because they happened in executive session.

“I think he just wasn’t a good fit for our community,” Zuchowski-Eckel said.

Some citizens said that Bingham was in support of joining a fire district, which they disagreed with.

“I’ve got a bit of a problem with somebody that’s already ready to go that route when that’s not what the will of Rossford was. We clearly voted for a full-time fire department of our own,” Jennifer Hill, a Rossford resident, said.

In the two weeks since the council declined to approve Bingham, Mayor MacKinnon said he spoke with leaders in other municipalities to get recommendations for nominees. He said multiple people put forth Syroka’s name.

“Richard Syroka’s the guy that can come in and help right the ship and help transfer you from a part-time model to a full-time model,” MacKinnon said about what he heard from other leaders.

Rossford city officials praised Syroka’s experience, as well as his reputation as a leader and mentor. Zuchowski-Eckel said the former deputy chief taught at Owens Community College.

Hill said she’s been waiting for a full-time department to come to Rossford for years. She hopes that naming a new chief is a step in the right direction.

“It means that the light at the end of the tunnel might not actually be a train,” Hill said.

MacKinnon III and Zuchowski-Eckel said they want the new chief to take the lead on hiring full-time firefighters. They have a list of candidates and hope to staff eight full-timers this year.

“I think it’s important that people are allowed to pick their own team, and that way they’re accountable,” MacKinnon III said.

After background checks for the candidates clear, they will go through the Civil Service Commission.

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