(700 WLW)- After nearly 42 years of service with the Anderson Township Fire and Rescue Department, the last 16 as chief of the department, Chief Mark Ober announced he will retire August 3, 2018. Replacing him is Assistant Chief Rick Martin, a 33-year veteran of the department.
Martin has served as assistant chief since 2017, rising from the ranks as a firefighter-paramedic, lieutenant and battalion chief, a position he held for 17 years. He received a Commendation of Valor in 1995 from the Fire and Rescue Department and was named the American Legion Post 318 Firefighter of the Year in 2003. Besides numerous certifications in fire service, he also holds his J.D. from the Chase College of Law.
Martin also studied advanced firefighting tactics, basic and intermediate rope rescue, and hazardous materials training as a first responder. As assistant chief, he oversees all fire prevention and life safety activities within the township including plan review and building inspections. As second in command, Martin also plays a key role in managing the department’s personnel.
Ober has served as Anderson Township’s chief longer than any other fire chief in the fire department’s 77-year history. Through his leadership, the township secured and retained its favorable “3” Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating, a fire service classification system used to evaluate all aspects of U.S. fire departments. Most recently, Ober implemented a joint agreement between Anderson Township and the Village of Newtown for fire and EMS services.