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Fairview Park chiefs outline multi-year succession timetable for police and fire
Summary
Fire Chief Tony Raffin and Police Chief Shepard presented multi-year succession plans: Raffin plans to retire in late summer–early fall 2030 and requested a Q4 2029 chief exam; police leaders identified several officers approaching retirement and recommended promotional testing in 2027–2028.
Fire Chief Tony Raffin told the Civil Service Commission he plans to retire in late summer to early fall 2030 and asked that the Fire Chief's examination be scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2029 with the announcement released in the third quarter of 2029 so testing, appeals and list certification are complete by the end of February 2030.
"I would request that the Civil Service Commission schedule the Chief's examination in the fourth quarter of 2029. The announcement of that exam should go out in the third quarter of 2029," Chief Raffin said, outlining a shadowing period beginning March or April 2030 to allow a successor to learn the role. Raffin also recommended coordinated exams for downstream ranks (Captain, Lieutenant and Firefighter/Medic) to prevent operational disruption after a promotion.
Police leadership presented their own timetable: Detective Rutt (spring 2028), Lieutenant Wickes (Feb. 2029), Chief Shepard (Dec. 2029), Sergeant Franks (May 2030) and Sergeant Brewer (Apr. 2031) are estimated to reach retirement eligibility. Police Chief Shepard recommended lieutenant and sergeant testing in fall 2027 and a police chief test in spring 2028 so enough candidates can compete.
