New fire chief hopes to build a great team
New Crown Point Fire Chief Mark Baumgardner Jr. says he plans to head up the fire department using one maxim his father taught him.
“I plan to walk softly and carry a big stick,” Baumgardner said, quoting Teddy Roosevelt.
He said the previous chief, Dave Crane, had his own style and Baumgardner plans to have his own unique way of leading.
“I want to be the leader who speaks softly and is for the team,” he said.
Last week Baumgardner was sworn in by outgoing Crown Point Mayor David Uran. His appointment was first announced two weeks ago during the inaugural Crown Point Fire Rescue Awards Banquet.
“Mark has been leading the department since late Fire Chief Dave Crane
began experiencing health issues about a year ago,” Uran said in a press release. “His leadership has proven invaluable, and I am confident he will continue to guide our department in the right direction.”
Baumgardner said he is most proud of his time as a United States Air Force veteran, serving from 20022006.
“The best officers weren’t always the loudest,” he said. “I learned a lot there.”
Baumgardner previously served as a dispatcher with the Crown Point Police Department and on the Lakes of the Four Seasons Fire Department.
Baumgardner said he took after his father, Mark A. Baumgardner Sr., who led by example and recently died.
His dad had 34 years of service from the city of Crown Point as a firefighter/paramedic and was one of the original seven paramedics hired for EMS service for the city of Crown Point. He was a longtime EMS instructor/educator for Franciscan Crown Point, Baumgardner added.
It was his father’s influence that led Baumgardner to start as a Crown Point Fire Rescue volunteer firefighter in 2002. He was hired as a full-time firefighter/paramedic in May 2008.
Baumgardner was named assistant fire chief in August 2019.
He succeeds Crane, who died last month.
When recounting his fire experience, he said the little things came to the forefront.
“It is isn’t the big fires, it’s when you help someone and make a difference,” Baumgardner said.