Cleveland Heights Fire Chief Kevin MohrCLEVELAND HEIGHTS--Fire Lt. William Freeman has been selected to replace Fire Chief Kevin Mohr, who is scheduled to retire at the end of August.
Acting City Manager Susanna Niermann O’Neil made the announcement at a City Council meeting June 18. Mohr has been with the department since 1977, and has served as chief since 2002, according to the department’s website.
Freeman received the highest rating among four internal applicants for the position through the civil service selection process, O’Neil said. He has been with the department for 20 years, the last five as paramedic coordinator.
According to O’Neil, Freeman will bring experience in budgeting, personnel management and training oversight to the position. He was instrumental in an initiative to certify every firefighter on the department as a paramedic by 2013.
“It’s just a wonderful fit,” she said.
O’Neil said Freeman and Mohr will work together in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition in leadership.
“We’re looking forward to a strong, smooth transition,” Mayor Ed Kelley said.
Neither Freeman or Mohr could be reached for comment by the Sun Press' June 19 afternoon deadline.
Mohr is the latest in a string of city officials to depart in the past 18 months. Former police chief Martin G. Lentz retired in December 2010 after 36 years, Thomas Malone stepped down Feb. 28 after 14 years as the city’s director of finance and clerk of council, former city manager Bob Downey abruptly resigned in April after more than 25 years and Phyllis Evans stepped down from council May 31 after almost 20 years in office.
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