Warren City Council heard statements on May 20 from Wilbert “Skip” McAdams and Orin Ferguson as the council considered appointments for the city’s fire leadership.

The remarks, made during the audience/appointment portion of the meeting, gave council members and the public a summary of each nominee’s experience and recent department projects. Wilbert “Skip” McAdams, identified in the meeting as a candidate for reappointment to the position of fire commissioner, told the council, “I have served this city dutifully for 17 plus years, always with the goal of making Warren Fire Department the best department not only in the county and in the state but in the nation.”

Orin Ferguson, introduced as a candidate for fire chief, described his 32-year career and listed capital and operational work he said he led. “I oversaw a $2,100,000 concrete renovation across all 6 fire stations, addressing long standing facilities deficiencies and improving operational safety,” Ferguson said. He also said he directed station kitchen renovations, streamlined fleet replacements, added six utility vehicles and led acquisition of new fire apparatus. Ferguson said he is “currently overseeing the planning and construction of 2 new fire stations.”

Why it matters: council confirmation of senior fire leadership affects department operations, capital projects, and emergency response planning. The nominees’ remarks highlighted ongoing and planned capital work and equipment modernization that would shape the department’s readiness and budget priorities.

Details and context: McAdams emphasized alignment with elected officials’ direction and long-term departmental goals, saying his work implements the council’s vision. Ferguson described efforts to increase in-house training capacity — including converting an apparatus garage to a training area for technical rescue and hazmat teams — and creation of an honor guard for ceremonies and community events. Both speakers framed fiscal responsibility and personnel support as priorities.

The transcript excerpt does not show a formal council vote or an explicit motion on these appointments. The record in the provided excerpt is limited to nominees’ statements and a brief introduction by a council official. The council’s earlier roll call and procedural votes are recorded elsewhere in the minutes but no confirmation vote for these specific appointments appears in the excerpt provided.

The council may take up formal action later in the meeting or at a subsequent meeting; that outcome was not included in the supplied transcript segment.