City leaders are ready to introduce the two finalists for Battle Creek’s next fire chief.
You can hear from, meet, and ask questions of these candidates during a community event:
- Wednesday, Aug. 24, starting at 6:30 p.m.
- Battle Creek City Commission Chambers – City Hall – 10 N. Division St.
- Burmese interpretation will be available; American Sign Language interpretation will be available.
- Event will stream live on the city’s YouTube channel and AccessVision channel 17
We will ask in-person attendees and online viewers to share feedback about the candidates on a quick form – this will be available during the event, and on the city website afterward. We will ask for all feedback by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26.
Online feedback form is here: https://www.battlecreekmi.gov/FormCenter/Get-Connected-5/City-of-Battle-Creek-Fire-Chief-90
The firm GovHR led the process of hiring a new fire chief, including a first look at all applicants, and a first interview. City leaders received all of the applicant information, including the top five recommended by GovHR. Leaders agreed with those five, and virtually interviewed them last week.
From those interviews, the interview panel chose the top two: Bill Beaty and Jeff VanderWiere. See their attached short biographies.
The interview panel was Battle Creek Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Beauchamp, city Firefighter and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF, union) Local 335 President Jayeson Tkac, LifeCare Ambulance/Emergent Health CEO Ron Slagell, Battle Creek Police Department Deputy Chief Shannon Bagley, city HR Director Michelle Hull, and City Manager Rebecca Fleury. Beauchamp and Tkac helped select interview questions.
This process began after previous Chief Brian Sturdivant left the city in April to take the job of fire chief in Lansing.
We hope you will participate in this conversation.