Clinton Township board approves new fire chief

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clinton Township Board of Trustees approved John Gallagher as the township’s new fire chief at its March 18 meeting. Gallagher will take over for Tim Duncan.

“He will be a great chief. We’re looking forward to it,” said Township Supervisor Robert Cannon at the meeting.

Duncan agreed.

“I’ve known John for his whole career,” Duncan said in an interview following the meeting. “Guy’s got a great heart, puts a lot of effort into the department.”

Gallagher was one of three potential candidates for the job. He has served with the township for 19 years in various roles. Gallagher started off as a paramedic. He eventually became the EMS chief, a role he’s been in for the past seven years.

“That role allowed me to really blossom out, to work with the county and with the local medical control authority Medstar,” Gallagher said in an interview following the meeting.

Prior to his time with the township, Gallagher earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Michigan. He’s a registered nurse and has earned a firefighter/paramedic associate degree from Macomb Community College where he also attended the fire academy.

“It was always something that seemed cool to me, kind of interesting,” Gallagher said about his career. “It came on my radar later in life, but I’m certainly glad it did.”

Since Gallagher became EMS chief, he has been learning from Duncan about the fire chief role.

“He’s certainly allowed me to pick his brain, ask any questions,” Gallagher said. “I have plenty. Just to his best practices and what he identifies as concerns. Just making me aware of day-to-day operations.”

Gallagher said while there was nothing wrong with the way things were done before, he’ll bring a new perspective to the position.

“Just another set of eyes, just another set of experiences that I’ve had,” he said. “I try to have a good relationship with everyone in regards to fire suppression and emergency services. Just a different type of background moving into the position.”

Gallagher is focused on working on the community’s relationship with the department. He said there have been struggles getting a future generation of firefighters.

“I think having great community relations is a good start to addressing that concern,” he said.

Gallagher has been the president for the Clinton Township Kiwanis Club since 2018. The club played a role in getting Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System devices for each of the township’s frontline vehicles. That sparked Gallagher’s interest.

“I saw the community service that they put forward and it’s something that I’m really involved in,” he said. “It kind of really stuck with me.”

A New Baltimore resident, Gallagher is the father to two daughters and a son. Hockey is a passion. His nephew Ty plays for Boston University and was drafted by the Boston Bruins. Lately, he’s been traveling with his brother to catch some of his games. He currently serves as treasurer for the New Baltimore Historical Society, an interest his dad helped nurture.

“It gives me a great opportunity to be involved with the community as well as continuing my quest for knowledge of history,” Gallagher said.

“Very involved person, employee and father,” Duncan added about Gallagher. “Just a great guy.”

Gallagher is slated to start as chief in mid-May.