Emmaus council hires new emergency services director and deputy after executive session

After an executive session Monday night, Emmaus Borough Council voted to hire Keith Miller as director of emergency services and fire chief at a prorated salary of $99,000 and to hire Adam Priest as deputy director of emergency services and ambulance chief at a prorated salary of $95,000.

The hires were moved and seconded from the dais and approved by voice vote with council recording “seven ayes.” Councilmember Ladenburg moved Miller’s appointment and Baumgartner seconded; Ladenburg moved Priest’s appointment and Baumgartner seconded.

Council also approved several personnel actions recommended by borough management. Council voted to retain Brianna Falco as a full-time employee in the fire department after a successful probationary period, and approved a public-works pay-class advancement for Ben Harrison to Class 4. Borough manager announcements included hires of part-time EMT Emma Schilling, part-time firefighter Danielle Himes (previously a part-time EMT) and part-time firefighter John Simonik Jr., and a note that part-time police officer Al Klaus would move to an auxiliary policing role.

The council’s motions were presented as personnel decisions after the executive-session interviews and were approved by council without recorded opposition. The borough manager said the appointment process included interview steps conducted in executive session; council did not disclose interview details during the public meeting.

Council directed staff to proceed with onboarding and stated salary amounts for the two leadership hires would be prorated and implemented according to borough payroll procedures.