Fort Mitchell’s long-time fire chief Adam Fuller has announced that he will officially retire in August.
Chief Fuller has worked in public service since 1993 when he began as a volunteer firefighter in the Southern Campbell County Fire District. He also served as a dispatcher and a career firefighter with Fort Mitchell.
“Serving the City of Fort Mitchell for 19 years, the past five as Fire Chief, has truly been a wonderful experience which has allowed me the opportunity to serve in various leadership roles while developing community-based programs with local organizations that will provide lasting benefits to our community well into the future,” Fuller said in the city’s press release.
In an interview, LINK nky said that one of his proudest accomplishments was the department being able to increase daily minimum staffing and the college tuition program, allowing six people to work at the Fort Mitchell Fire Department while the department funded their college education with grant money.
Under his direction, the department also added a full-time recruitment and retention coordinator.
Fuller says he is also proud of the “unique programs and services” that the department has been able to provide. He sees himself as only one member of that team.
Fuller called his years with the Fort Mitchell Fire Department a “truly awesome experience.”
David Jansing, Fort Mitchell’s Assistant Fire Chief has known Fuller for over 20 years and served on the panel of interviewers that hired him to the department originally, promoted him to lieutenant, and hired him to the chief position.
Jansing told LINK nky he has been most impressed by Fuller’s commitment to public safety and fire prevention. “[Fuller’s] desire for public safety and service has not changed. It doesn’t matter what rank he was at,” Jansing said.
For years, Fuller led the Fort Mitchell Fire Safety Prevention Poster Contest, a program which gets local children involved in fire safety and features their art. “I truly hate to see him leave. He is a true asset to the fire department and to the state,” Jansing said.
Fort Mitchell City Council approved Dave Slusser, current Assistant Fire Chief in charge of daytime operations, at the April 17 meeting to take over as interim chief on July 31, 2023.
Slusser told LINK nky that his experience working with Fuller has been incredibly positive. “Chief Fuller has been very outgoing and made some changes in the department for the positive,” Slusser said.
Slusser also says that he will continue to utilize Fuller’s expertise when he serves as interim Fire Chief.
“I’m excited because we have a great team and I have the opportunity to be able to lead those individuals and provide a stable workplace with the right training,” Slusser said.
Looking forward, Slusser says that he hasn’t yet considered any new projects for the Fire Department. Instead, he will work to maintain a lot of what Fuller has started. He would like to keep with Fuller’s vision and the visions of the Fort Mitchell Fire Chiefs before him.
There is currently no timeline as to when Council will make a decision on a permanent chief.
