By Amanda Amsel
Staff Writer
There is a new chief in town.
At a recent board meeting, interim Franklin Township Fire Chief Jim Welch was officially promoted to fire chief.
“I have been with the department for almost 18 years and have worked almost every position here,” Welch said.
When former Franklin Township Fire Chief Rick Howard recommended Welch for the promotion, he said he showed initiative and an eagerness to learn. Howard said he exemplified great leadership qualities.
A Columbus resident, Welch has been employed by the Franklin Township Fire Department since 1997. He started out as a firefighter/paramedic and was promoted to lieutenant in 2011 and captain in 2014. He also is an EMS/fire instructor and is responsible for coordinating the department’s continued education program.
Welch said when he was approached about the position by Howard, he immediately was interested.
“I have always believed in stepping up and doing my share, especially at my place of employment,” he said. “I have great goals for this department and am excited to get started.”
The number one goal Welch has is to work better with all the Franklin Township trustees. In recent years, Howard and trustee Tim Guyton butted heads regarding the finances and staffing of the department. Welch hopes to alleviate this tension by having an open dialogue with all the trustees.
Welch also wants to promote the department to township residents and educate them on all the services provided. Last year, the township lost a permanent levy for the third time, something Welch believes was a result of misinformation about the department.
“We need to educate residents on the importance of our services,” he said. “I think us not working with all the trustees and this lack of information in the community played a great role in the failure of the fire levy.”
