Former Avon Fire Department Capt. David Swope was sworn in by Mayor Bryan Jensen as the city’s new fire chief April 16. He replaces former chief Frank Root III, who recently retired.
Swope’s schedule will be changing from 20 years of shift work to a more regular work week of Monday through Friday. The days may be longer, though, as he noted that during his first week, he has been working 10 to 12 hours per day. “A chief’s job is always 40 hours-plus,” he said.
“We are always busy,” Swope said, “and it’s all different, but now I am not running myself to emergencies. I am dealing with emergencies and issues at the station, like vehicles, computers and personnel -- all just a different challenge.” Swope grew up in Kirtland in Lake County. His wife grew up in Valley View.
“I started with the Avon department in 2001,” he said.
“It was a part-time job, and I responded to calls from home. Then, the department went full time in 2003. Prior to that, I used to work at the Parma Heights station for a couple of years before I was hired in Avon and coming back again in 2005.”