EMS boss ready to become new fire chief

In Clinton Township’s municipal hall, John Gallagher is being referred to as a fire chief-inwaiting.

Gallagher, 53, is in line to become the chief of the Clinton Township Fire Department after having been selected by a search committee earlier this month. He takes over in May.

Gallagher, a 19-year veteran and currently chief of the fire department’s EMS division, is set to take leadership of the 67-firefighter department from the current chief, Tim Duncan, who plans to retire in mid-May.

“The chief (Duncan) announced his retirement months ago,” township Supervisor Bob Cannon said, looking to dissuade any speculation Duncan was leaving as a result of a recent explosion at a vape supply shop.

The leadership change comes at a crucial time for the fire department, which is involved with several federal, state, and local agencies in the investigation of the Goo Smoke Shop/Select Distributors Wholesale at 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway.

The March 4 blast sent debris flying across the township as the heavy canisters containing butane were also sent airborne and came crashing down on vehicles and other property. A 19-yearold man died and a township firefighter was injured by the flying cannisters.

Gallagher said the incident remains under investigation.

“The Clinton Township Fire Department, true to our mission, responded and performed admirably in the face of a challenging situation,” he said.

A search committee chose him from three internal candidates certified by the township’s Police and Fire Civil Service Commission. The committee “unanimously and without reservation” recommended him to the Board of Trustees, said Human Resources Director William Smith.

Gallagher said he doesn’t plan any major changes in the department when he takes over. He said a transition period is underway to allow him to sit with Duncan and discuss all aspects of the department.

The father of three children, the new chief said his career path has always included providing health, safety and wellness.

“My original path was hospital-based emergency care, but the firefighter/ paramedic role eventually steered me in a different direction,” Gallagher said. “When leadership opportunities within the fire service became a reality, I challenged myself to be part of that process.”

The fire department operates five stations strategically located in the community of an estimated 100,000 residents.