MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Meridian Township Fire Department will experience a great deal of reorganization on June 16th. A succession plan is in place due to the pending retirement of Battalion Chief Lori Schafer.

Mark Vroman, Meridian Township Fire Department Captain, has 17 years with the township and is chosen as the top Battalion Chief candidate. Coming up as a Firefighter Paramedic and holding various titles like Lieutenant, Captain, and soon to be Battalion Chief his time with the Fire Department has flown by.

Vroman expresses his gratitude and says, "[I am] Very fortunate, and look forward to serving the citizens of Meridian Township in that capacity [Battalion Chief]."

Samantha Weber, Part-Time Firefighter, has been with the department since December 2013 and earned a promotion to Full-Time Firefighter. Weber is excited to further her career with Meridian Township and describes the support she receives from her team.

"We have a great team that's very good at helping learn the systems and the protocols and the operating procedures. It's a good group of people that have gotten me to where I need to be," said Weber.

Other promotions in the department include Lieutenant Ken Phinney to Captain, Bill Richardson to Lieutenant, and Daniel Ackles to Full-Time Firefighter.

The promoted firefighters will be sworn into their new positions at an official ceremony on June 16th. Fred Cowper, Meridian Township Fire Chief, describes the event as a day of celebration and emotion.

"Its great for morale because we see new leadership and we see new blood coming onto the Fire Department," said Chief Cowper.