Litchfield trustees hire Tim Keck as new fire chief

LITCHFIELD TWP. — After serving Litchfield Fire and Rescue for more than five years, Tim Keck was promoted to fire chief. The Litchfield Township Board of Trustees unanimously voted to hire him as chief during its meeting on Tuesday. Keck is a U.S. Navy veteran who was promoted to lieutenant of Litchfield Fire and Rescue last year. He also works as a part-time emergency department paramedic for the Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital and as a swift water rescue technician and rope rescue technician for the Medina County All Hazards team. "I'm excited for this new challenge," he said in a statement. "The bar is set pretty high, and there's definitely a learning curve. We have a great group of volunteers, and I hope to continue to foster that as I move into this new role." The trustees listed his experience, his knowledge of the department and his leadership qualities as some of the factors that made him a good candidate for the position. Vice Chair Joe Seifert said Keck loves and is passionate for Litchfield, and the community respects him. "I'm confident that he'll do a great job at recruitment and retention and continue to lead the department in the right direction," Seifert said. The trustees voted for Keck to start his new position immediately, and his starting salary is $1,300 a month. There will be a swearing-in ceremony on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the township's fire station. Former Fire Chief Jason Davis, who served in the position for the past 12 years, plans to remain on the department in some capacity. "I appreciate all the support," he said, "not just for me and allowing me to get the job done that we needed for the fire department, but the support for the fire department, I think was huge." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.