MI Interim Fire Chief Named in Wake of Retirement
By Roberto Acosta
Source MLive.com, Walker, Mich.
BURTON, MI—A new face will take over as Burton fire chief following the retirement of Marvin Epperson.
Epperson retired Friday from the position he took over on June 30, 2014 after an exhaustive search to replace the late Doug Halstead who died in March 2014.
Epperson, 62, served with the Waterford Fire Department for 30 years prior to moving over to Burton.
He could not immediately be reached for comment.
“I think it just worked out right for him and some personal ventures going on," said interim Burton Fire Chief Kirk Wilkinson.
Steve Heffner, Burton City Council president, confirmed Wilkinson has been appointed by the city to fill the chief’s position on an interim basis by Mayor Paula Zelenko.
“He’s a great choice,” said Heffner of Wilkinson.
The city council is expected to vote on Thursday on whether or not to make Wilkinson the full-time fire chief.
“Given the opportunity I would definitely accept the chief’s position,” said Wilkinson, who has spent 23 years with the city’s fire department.
He was recently named the 2018 Firefighter of the Year by the Genesee County Association of Fire Chiefs.
Wilkinson, 47, also received an honor on June 18 from the nonprofit organization Hundred Club of Genesee, Shiawassee and Lapeer Counties Heroes’ Night for his response on Jan. 28 in the 4200 block of Lippincott Road for what was first believed to be a garage fire.
“He soon observed the structure that was on fire was a house,” said Bill Harris, the event’s emcee. “He immediately requested additional support from Burton stations 1 and 3 as he donned his turnout gear. He was told by a neighbor as he was getting his gear on that the house was possibly occupied.”
Wilkinson was able to make his way through an armored door guard and located 92-year-old Chalmer Eugene Morse inside the home. He was on the living room floor and has suffered smoke inhalation.
Morse, a World War II veteran, was taken to a local hospital and listed in critical condition. He died Feb. 5.
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