Board offers Fincher trial period as fire chief

While the question of who would be the next fire chief at the Anderson Fire Protection District was not made clearer at Monday's special meeting, the district board did offer the job of acting fire chief to Fire Marshal/Battalion Chief Howard Fincher on a 30-day trial basis, Chairman Keith Webster said.

Deputy Fire Chief Andy Nichols, who was also interviewed for the chief's position on Monday, performed as acting fire chief at the district since Joe Piccinini was placed on leave May 12, 2009. Piccinini subsequently resigned July 1, 2009.

"Andy was acting fire chief for the last few months, and the board wanted Howard to have the opportunity for a month," Webster said.

"The board wanted to see what Howard can do," board member Paul Bosetti said. "It's pretty close."

"Both have a lot of good qualities," board member Butch Schaefer added.

At a planned Sept. 14 fire district meeting, the board will re-evaluate both Fincher's and Nichols' trial tenures, and decide whether to promote one of the two or to advertise the position for candidates outside the fire district, Webster said.

Both Fincher and Nichols are still under consideration for the chief's position, Webster said.

"Basically, I'm going to be keeping up with the daily operations of the district and make sure the district is heading in the right direction," Fincher said. "I've been here two and a half years, now they want to see the administrative side of me."