McDermitt sworn in as Lima's fire chief

LIMA — Departing Lima Fire Chief Andy Heffner said his replacement, Jack McDermitt, could make the department even better after his swearing-in ceremony Wednesday.

McDermitt was announced as Heffner’s replacement in April (bit.ly/3B84pMN) upon Heffner’s scheduled retirement as a consequence of Ohio’s Deferred Retirement Option Plan.

“One thing you want when you walk out that door is to know that whoever takes over for you is qualified,” said Heffner, addressing a crowd in Lima’s council chambers. “And I think with Chief McDermitt, it might get even better.”

McDermitt, a 25-year veteran of the department, said he did not think he would be doing this before his brother, also a firefighter, convinced him to take the firefighter test twice.

“I am honored to be the new fire chief,” he said. “I’m looking forward to building off of what Chief Heffner has built in the past. The firefighters here have made it the best fire department in the area, if not the state.”

Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith said she was proud to know McDermitt after swearing him in.

“I always have appreciated your dedication to your service,” she said. “Your level of detail and expertise got us through COVID.”

After the ceremony, McDermitt praised Heffner’s accomplishments and promised to continue his work on a new fire station, among other things.

“He got the ball rolling for a new station,” he said. “I’d like to renovate the central station and just continue all the work he started. I want to grow with the community continuously.”

McDermitt said it was never his goal to become chief, but as he worked his way up and became deputy chief when Heffner was named chief in 2020, it became obvious.

“It’s just been fantastic learning from him and working with the guys,” he said. “I felt like I was in a good place to take the helm and I just wan to help grow our fire department.”

McDermitt has served as a firefighter, incident safety officer, hazard recognition officer, Allen County and International Fire Chiefs Association member, fire instructor and live fire instructor since joining the department in 1999.

Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.