Timothy Grantz officially joined the Howland Fire Department Wedensday as a full-time firefighter and paramedic after being sworn in by trustee James Lapolla. Grantz came from a full-time position in Boardman, according to fire Chief James Pantalone, and also previously worked part-time with the Howland department. He fills a position left vacant when a firefighter moved on from the department earlier this year. Grantz will be paid $20.07 per hour as a firefighter, plus an extra paramedic rate of $62.50 per pay. His effective hire date is July 18, 2019. The fire department Wednesday also hired Don Bryant as an EMS and fire instructor for the Howland Township Fire and EMS Training Center. He has previous experience as a firefighter and EMT in the Ravenna area, according to Pantalone.