The Lakewood Fire Department has hired an additional four full time firefighters, Fire Commissioner Larry Loigman confirms to TLS.
The four new firefighters were hired from the Civil Service list following background investigations and interviews, Loigman says.
The new hires are: Robert Cook Jr. of Lakewood, who currently serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Lakewood Fire Department; Joe Johnson of Jackson, who currently works for Lakewood EMS; Thomas Schick of Lakewood, who currently serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Lakewood Fire Department; and John Sonner of Beachwood, who currently serves as volunteer firefighter in Beachwood.
Loigman says the Department is in the process of hiring another two full-time firefighters, as was originally planned, by working through the list.
The new employees are set to begin May 1. [TLS]
Great news. Best of luck. Stay safe out there.
One of the highest paid departments in the state whose majority of calls are handled by volunteer Chiefs in surrounding towns. I’d like my tax dollars back.
Congrats to Tom Schick… Be safe out there buddy…..J-Kawka
Best of luck. Stay safe out there
Way to go Crumb! Show the town that firefighting is what you do best.
NO VOLUNTEER CHIEF IN ANY SURROUNDING COMMUNITY OR ANY COMMUNITY WITH ADEQUATE FIRE PROTECTION ANSWERS 3,000+ CALLS A YEAR BY THEMSELVES!! I don’t live in Lakewood but I can tell you that I CANNOT respond to 3,000 calls a year as a volunteer and still have a place to live and a family!! Your information source is as anonymous as you are here! The present population numbers and the estimated growth of Lakewood clearly shows the need for a more staffed Career Dept. The numbers don’t lie!! A few volunteers joining today do not make up for the huge loss of veteran Firefighters that have left!! Good Job to the Lakewood Fire Commissioners upon increasing the staffing and paving the way for the future. Good Luck to the Gentleman who were hired and May GOD watch over all of LFD!
To anon, please show me proof how this is one of the highest paid dept. in the state, Jackson makes more than Lakewood does and they only work mon-fri 8am-4pm. So before you make comments like that you should really know your facts. Another town that makes more than Lakewood is also southard where they only have paid DRIVERS who work mon-fri 8-4.
Joe J, congrats on your new job. Best of luck.
Stay safe.
hope monoc doesn’t lose an instructor because of this
Congratulations Joe Johnson, LFD is lucky to get a guy like Joe who is highly trained in all areas of emergency services, very knowledgeable and most of all extremely nice caring and respectful to all. Keep up the good work and stay safe.
Congrats Tom. Glad to see you are no longer a backup, I am sure you will climb the ladder to success very shortly.
so bobby and tommy both resigned from the volunteers in December as per instruction from the commissioners ! I personally took bobby cooks letter of resignation ! I guess commissioner Loigman forgot…
No one said they answer 3000+, and “one of the highest paid” can include Jackson too… But I didn’t know Jackson was making the 80k that Lakewood is making.
Congratulations to all four new Firefighters. Especially Joe Johnson – living your dream finally. Thanks for everything….Bonnie
Wow Lakewood and Jackson are both making 80-90k a year, thanks for the info. Didn’t realize these departments paid like police does around here. Maybe we should consider taking a look at these salaries like we did with the first aid.
hey LFD maybe we should look into the board of ed before you bother with the paid mens salary ! what do you think they should get paid ? what do you consider fair ? these guys max out at 80 something thousand. they do not start that way . takes many many years to earn that . I am very curious as to what you think fair salary is fore someone that does to work and stands a good chance of not going home…. Your name is LFD but I assure you that you are not a fire fighter. You may run around town with a blue light but deff not a real Fire Fighter …
“LFD” COMMENTS ON THE SCOOP DO NOT REPRESENT THE LAKEWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT. It’s obvious that this individual is “trolling” to cause problems! You have the right to free speech but not the right to lie and confuse people with misrepresenting who you are and what organization you represent! Your facts about surrounding towns are obviously not verified! A simple data universe search would have been a good start! Lakewood fire district is not one of the highest paid career depts in the state! Southard Fire Company in Howell Twp has a staffed engine not “paid drivers”!! What other towns do is none of our business!! I really appreciate how you hide behind a computer screen and toss threats to someone’s livelihood!! You are not a “brother” …but a coward !! I’m sorry that your taxes are so high…I’m sorry you never got hired…I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry!! Good day to you
Data universe does show that 2 guys are making 100k and a few others around 70, I didn’t know Lakewood fire was similar in pay to Lakewood Police that’s crazy.
Actually data universe proves that the average pay is 80k since two guys are paid 100k so you’re the one providing misleading information. You guys can try to sweep the issue under the rug all you want and ignore the truth but facts are facts and surrounding towns don’t need to pay 80k a head to answer smells and bells and co alarms, they have chiefs and volunteers do it.
Data universe shows an average of 80k for Lakewood fire with two guys making 100k.
There are not enough volunteers to handle a city that’s approaching 3,000 responses nor is it safe! My information is not misleading because I said they are not the highest paid in the state….obviously not the highest in the area…since you checked data universe!! I’m not hiding anything, I am not employed by Lakewood Twp!! You want everything done for free…sorry…that ship sailed already!! NO CHIEFS IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES PERSONALLY RESPOND TO THE MANY “smells and bells” as you say…by themselves…again almost 3,000 responses by LFD!! If you were a real firefighter you would know that chiefs cars don’t put out fires and they certainly don’t carry water and enough manpower to save lives and protect property if one of those smells and bells turns out to be…wait for it……..wait for it……A FIRE!!! Your here to puff your chest and your information is meant to attack those who actually work for a living!! But, I have grown bored with you! You hide behind the keyboard and remember…you get what you pay for!!