The Huber Heights fire chief told the City Council at Tuesday’s work session that the Fire Department needs a full-time plans reviewer to keep up with the volume of building plans and modifications under review.

The chief said the current part-time plans reviewer, who joined around 2011–2012, has handled hundreds of plan reviews and has agreed to remain to assist in a transition. "She's reviewed every building, every building modification...she keeps our economic development moving and keeps everything safe," the chief said.

The chief told council the reviewer has processed more than 700 plan reviews this year and the department expects to reach roughly 800 by year’s end; that count, he said, includes modifications and not just new construction.

To avoid losing institutional knowledge, the department proposed adding a full-time plans-review position while retaining the existing part-time line temporarily so the current reviewer can train a new hire. "There will be two positions — one full time and one part time — so we can start working at trying to fill this position," the chief said.

Council asked questions about recruiting and qualifications; the chief said the position would likely be filled by someone already experienced with complex elements such as sprinkler designs, fire pumps and multi-story apartment systems rather than an entry-level applicant.

Council signaled support for moving the table-of-organization change onto the council agenda for Monday so the hiring process can begin.