New fire chief sworn in surrounded by family, friends

Jeremy Betsa was formally sworn in as chief of the Avon Lake Fire Department in a ceremony on Feb. 11 during Avon Lake City Council’s regular session.

Surrounded by family and friends, Betsa took the oath of office, removing the interim tag from his title.

Betsa has most recently served as Interim Chief with the retirement of outgoing Avon Lake Fire Chief Chris Huerner.

Betsa, 32, of Avon, grew up in Medina and joined the department in 2010 as a firefighter/paramedic. He was promoted to lieutenant in April 2015 and then to assistant fire chief in January 2018.

He is married to his wife Heather, who is a trauma nurse in the Akron area, and has five children.

He will take over the 33-person department that is preparing to purchase a new fire engine later this year, and will look to put his unique stamp on Avon Lake Fire Department as chief.

“He will be an outstanding fire chief based on the record that he’s shown,” Mayor Greg Zilka said. “I really appreciate Council seeing the wisdom in establishing the interim position so Assistant Chief Betsa could channel and assist outgoing Chief Huerner for about three months.”

Betsa’s appointment was approved Jan. 14 by Avon Lake’s human resources committee.

“He will be an outstanding fire chief based on the record that he’s shown.” — Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Avon Lake Fire Chief Jeremy Betsa, 32, left, is sworn in by Law Director Abe Lieberman, right, as Mayor Greg Zilka looks on.