FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 14, 2021
LANCASTER, Penna. (Sept. 14, 2021) – Manheim Township Fire Chief Rick Kane has announced he will leave his post by the end of the year, said Thomas O’Brien, president of the Manheim Township Board of Commissioners.
Kane told the Board of Commissioners on Monday of his planned departure, and said he will join a private company in January of 2022
“My 14 years with Manheim Township Fire Rescue has been the high point in my career. The opportunities I was presented with and the challenges we have overcome to restructure our department to meet the township’s needs have been amazing,”said Kane. “But it is time for a new challenge for myself and for the next leader to take over this incredible department”.
“Chief Kane, who has been with Manheim Township Fire Rescue since 2007, has been a great asset, professionalizing our firefighting operation, and leading key parts of the township’s response teams,” said O’Brien.
Kane, said O’Brien, is credited with
- Transitioning the township’s three fire stations located at Neffsville, Eden, and Southern Manheim into the Manheim Township Fire Rescue Department
- Adding full-time career fire fighters to the ranks to replace the dwindling number of volunteer firefighters
- Establishing the office of Fire Marshal and creating a life safety inspection program for all commercial businesses in Manheim Township
- Developing the township’s initial strategic fire rescue plan and updating it
- Serving as the township’s Emergency Management Coordinator during the COVID-19 pandemic
In 2011, Kane was recognized with the Alan Brunacini Fire Service Executive Safety Award. presented by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, for his "demonstrated a unique commitment to fire-service health and safety."
“We appreciate Chief Kane’s leadership, foresight and guidance in moving our fire and rescue department from a volunteer to career-based organization,” said O’Brien. “His hard work and attention to detail has resulted in a professional, well-run department that is a leader in our county and state.”
O’Brien said a search for Kane’s replacement would begin immediately, with the intent of bringing a new fire chief on board in December, to spend time working with Kane before his departure.
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