New fire chief, other staffing moves announced
Several staffing changes at Meadville Central Fire Department, including the appointment of a new chief, were announced at Meadville City Council’s meeting this week.
Deputy Chief Evan Kardosh will take over as chief on July 6, following the retirement of Chief Pat Wiley, City Manager Maryann Menanno told council members Tuesday.
The 32-year-old Kardosh joined the department in January 2019 and became coordinator of emergency medical services and deputy chief last year after playing a key role in proposing the addition of ambulatory services to the department.
Kardos will be officially sworn in at council’s July 2 meeting, Menanno said.
Tyler Cochran, also a firefighter with the department since January 2019, was promoted to lieutenant to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Lt. Jim Aldridge in April.
In another move, paramedic Vinny Dragulin will assume a newly created crisis intervention and support staff position. Menanno said that Dragulin will likely remain stationed at Meadville Central though the position will technically be attached to Meadville Police Department. Dragulin will also be available as an emergency on-call emergency medical technician, according to Menanno.
Funding for the position comes in the form of a Congressionally Directed Spending Award — more commonly known as an “earmark” — and will cover salary and benefits for three years as well as a vehicle, equipment and other related expenses, city officials said when the funding was announced in March.
Dragulin will likely work from about 2 to 10 p.m., Menanno told council, allowing him to work with social service agencies that typically close for the day in the late afternoon while also remaining on duty to address cases that arise at night.
