Elkhart commission approves promotions, testing and 2026 merit commission dates

Elkhart City commissioners on Dec. 8 approved several routine fire-department personnel actions, including a written disciplinary warning for driver operator Holly Reed, the promotion of driver operator Todd Farren to lieutenant, and authorizations to begin promotional testing for medic-lieutenant and suppression driver-operator ranks.

Fire Chief Rodney Dale formally notified the commission of Farren’s promotion, saying, "I, Rodney Dale, the fire chief, am formally notifying the commission that driver operator Todd Farren has been offered and has accepted a promotion to lieutenant," and that the promotion was effective Nov. 14 with Farren’s first shift in the new position on Nov. 29. Commissioners moved and approved the promotion during the meeting; members then paused for a brief pinning/photo moment.

Chief Dale also requested permission to begin testing for medic-lieutenant positions "to accommodate present and upcoming openings," and to start promotional testing for suppression driver operator, which he explained is the member who operates apparatus, sets pump gear and supplies water at fires. Commissioners approved both requests to initiate testing immediately.

The commission also approved the proposed 2026 merit commission meeting dates that had been included in the packet.

These actions were recorded as motions and approved by the board during the Dec. 8 session; no additional fiscal figures or implementation timelines beyond the immediate testing start were provided in the meeting record.