Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:20:00
City Hires New Fire Chief
In a special called meeting, the Canton City Council hired Bud Sanford as the new fire chief.
Sanford, a Canton native, took the position of Charles Bazhaw who resigned June 30, at a rate of $40,000 per year.
Canton City Manager Andy McCuistion said on Tuesday there were 22 applicants for the position, which had been narrowed down to four candidates.
A panel made up of McCuistion, Canton Fire Department Assistant Chief Ronnie Denton, Canton Police Chief Michael Echols, and Canton Assistant City Manager Lonny Cluck conducted the interviews.
“I wanted the fire department represented and the police department represented on that panel because they work closely together,” McCuistion said.
McCuistion said at the beginning of the process he thought there were only two options in selecting a new fire chief: either someone rising in their career with lots of credentials, or someone who was near the end of their career.
“During this process, one of the candidates asked me to consider one other option which was to hire a full-time fireman,” McCuistion said. “They would work 24 hours on and off 48, and during their days they would work more than full time. Its not like you would hire a part-time fire chief.”
McCuistion said that is currently being done successfully in the city of Wills Point, so he went and spoke with the city manager in Wills Point.
“After speaking with the city of Wills Point, I was convinced we could do that successfully here as well,” he said.
Sanford was selected upon the recommendation of the panel.
Sanford has served on the Garland Fire Department for 19 years, and worked for the Balch Springs Fire Department seven years prior. He served as the Canton Volunteer Fire Chief from 1991-1999.
“He knows this department and he was successful during that time in maintaining a good volunteer force,” McCuistion said.
McCuistion said he had never met Sanford prior to the interview and that, “It was like divine intervention finding someone who was a hometown person, who has the experience and the desire to do it. Those things don’t just come together like that.”
When asked what made Sanford stand out from the other candidates, McCuistion said, “He is really personable, and confident.”
McCuistion said hiring Sanford will also allow the city to save some money.
“It is not like this is a permanent job,” he said. “He will have two primary jobs.”
McCuistion said the city is hoping to build the volunteer force which they feel Sanford will be successful at doing
“He will be putting in more than 40 hours. He will not be a part time chief,” McCuistion added. “We are excited about having him come on board.”
Sanford, a Canton native, took the position of Charles Bazhaw who resigned June 30, at a rate of $40,000 per year.
Canton City Manager Andy McCuistion said on Tuesday there were 22 applicants for the position, which had been narrowed down to four candidates.
A panel made up of McCuistion, Canton Fire Department Assistant Chief Ronnie Denton, Canton Police Chief Michael Echols, and Canton Assistant City Manager Lonny Cluck conducted the interviews.
“I wanted the fire department represented and the police department represented on that panel because they work closely together,” McCuistion said.
McCuistion said at the beginning of the process he thought there were only two options in selecting a new fire chief: either someone rising in their career with lots of credentials, or someone who was near the end of their career.
“During this process, one of the candidates asked me to consider one other option which was to hire a full-time fireman,” McCuistion said. “They would work 24 hours on and off 48, and during their days they would work more than full time. Its not like you would hire a part-time fire chief.”
McCuistion said that is currently being done successfully in the city of Wills Point, so he went and spoke with the city manager in Wills Point.
“After speaking with the city of Wills Point, I was convinced we could do that successfully here as well,” he said.
Sanford was selected upon the recommendation of the panel.
Sanford has served on the Garland Fire Department for 19 years, and worked for the Balch Springs Fire Department seven years prior. He served as the Canton Volunteer Fire Chief from 1991-1999.
“He knows this department and he was successful during that time in maintaining a good volunteer force,” McCuistion said.
McCuistion said he had never met Sanford prior to the interview and that, “It was like divine intervention finding someone who was a hometown person, who has the experience and the desire to do it. Those things don’t just come together like that.”
When asked what made Sanford stand out from the other candidates, McCuistion said, “He is really personable, and confident.”
McCuistion said hiring Sanford will also allow the city to save some money.
“It is not like this is a permanent job,” he said. “He will have two primary jobs.”
McCuistion said the city is hoping to build the volunteer force which they feel Sanford will be successful at doing
“He will be putting in more than 40 hours. He will not be a part time chief,” McCuistion added. “We are excited about having him come on board.”