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West Chester Township swears in two career firefighters and promotes four police officers
Summary
Trustees approved hiring two career firefighter-paramedics and promoted three police officers (captain, lieutenant, sergeant); oaths of office were administered at the Feb. 25 meeting.
West Chester Township trustees on Feb. 25 approved hires and promotions in the fire and police departments, then administered oaths of office to the new and promoted personnel.
The board voted to hire Michael Siciliano and Joshua (Josh) Spears as career firefighter-paramedics, both effective March 10, 2025, at an hourly rate of $26.56. Trustees also approved promotions within the police department: Paul B. Lovell to captain (effective Feb. 26, 2025), Douglas Farris to lieutenant (effective Feb. 26, 2025) and Nicholas Hornback to sergeant (effective Feb. 26, 2025). The promotions and hires were included in a single motion covering personnel items 1–7 and passed by roll-call vote.
"We are grateful that you're here," Trustee Jones said during remarks recognizing the promoted officers and newly hired firefighters. Several trustees and staff praised the candidates' experience and service records during the personnel section.
Details: Brown read the hiring and promotion items into the record. Biweekly salaries for promoted police ranks were stated in the meeting: the captain's biweekly salary was read as $4,975.54; the lieutenant's biweekly salary was read as $4,638.01; the sergeant's biweekly rate was read as $4,033.05. Detective Hornback's service history and awards were noted in the record.
Oaths: The trustees administered the oaths of office for the firefighter hires and police promotions during the meeting. The sworn statements included standard language to support the U.S. and Ohio constitutions and to faithfully discharge duties for West Chester Township in Butler County.
Why it matters: Staffing and rank changes in public-safety departments affect department readiness and local emergency response capacity. The hires add two full-time firefighter-paramedics to the West Chester Township Fire Department roster, and the police promotions reflect internal advancement.
