Meet Port Huron Township's new fire chief

Firefighting is in Randy Vesper's blood. 

The new Port Huron Township fire chief first started going to Kenockee Township's fire house when he was 12 or 13 with his father, Larry Vesper. The elder Vesper spent 55 years in the fire service before he retired.

Both of Randy Vesper's grandfathers were firefighters; his paternal grandfather served as a charter member of the Kenockee Township Fire Department and his maternal grandfather served with the Brockway Township Fire Department. 

As a kid, Vesper tagged along with his father to fire department meetings or to help with renovations at the fire station. Randy Vesper became a paid-on-call firefighter with the department as soon as he turned 18, where he stayed for five-and-a-half years before joining the St. Clair Shores Fire Department for 25 years. 

"I've always had an interest in the fire service," Vesper said. "I've enjoyed the service part of it, helping people, helping the community, the comradery amongst not only members of your own department, but the fire service in general."

Vesper worked his way up the ranks to battalion chief at St. Clair Shores, where he performed project management and several administrative duties, such as scheduling, payroll and equipment maintenance. 

Vesper joined the Port Huron Township Fire Department in July as a firefighter. He said he applied for the position of chief because it was a natural next step in the fire service. 

His predecessor, Dan Mainguy and Port Huron Township Supervisor Bob Lewandowski said Vesper was selected due to his experience, both his leadership role in the fire service and his experience working with Tri-Hospital EMS as a paramedic, and familiarity with the area. 

"He has historical relationships with other agencies in the county and that made him a good fit for future relationship building with other agencies and departments," Mainguy said. 

Vesper was appointed to the position with an annual salary of $70,000 by the township board at a meeting Monday. 

Mainguy said Vesper was one of nine applicants, three of which were given interviews. He was the only internal candidate. 

Vesper said once he completes training with Mainguy he will meet with command staff to learn about what changes should or should not be made at the station. 

Vesper said he will evaluate the department's equipment to see what improvements can be made. He said he is also a strong proponent of training and education to keep up with all the changes in the fire service. 

"(The fire service) is a constantly evolving, changing and the challenges that go along with that, it always keeps you on your toes," Vesper said. 

Contact Laura Fitzgerald at (810) 941-7072 or lfitzgeral@gannett.com.