Ypsilanti has a new fire chief as city officials last week announced that Fire Marshal Jon Ichesco will replace James Roberts, who recently retired after 37 years with the department.
"Jon will do a good job," Roberts said. "It will be a learning experience for him, as it was for me. But, he's got an excellent crew and he'll be OK. With the people behind him, he'll work his way in there."
City Manager Ed Koryzno said Ichesco will keep his position as fire marshal as he assumes the duties of chief.
Ichesco moved to Ypsilanti from Pennsylvania when he was 10 years old, attending Chapelle Elementary, West Middle School and Ypsilanti High School. His family remains rooted in Ypsilanti, where his wife, Carole, also grew up. Son Jonny teaches math at West Middle School, while daughter Amy works at the Kroger store on Washtenaw and volunteers at West.
Ichesco said he's going to have to cut back on some of his activities as he focuses on the future of Ypsilanti's fire department.
"I have a pretty efficient staff," he said, "and I believe 'if it isn't broke, don't fix it.' So, we'll focus on traditional things like getting training for the new guys and meeting federal guidelines."
Ichesco added that he's also looking toward building closer agreements with other departments on collaborations and responses.
"We are all interested in limiting injuries and deaths, as well as limiting property damage. We need to focus on the people," he said. "We will work to build a functional district, where we work together but don't commingle money."
Ichesco joined the Ypsilanti Fire Department in 1984 after nearly 20 years as an operating engineer. He became fire marshal in 1994.
He has an associate's degree from Washtenaw Community College in fire protection and has taken other required training from the now-defunct University of Michigan Extension Service. He is certified at both the national and state levels in fire inspection and investigation.
Ichesco has been actively involved in the Michigan Joint Fire Service Council, of which he is currently the president. He is a member of the Michigan Fire Service Coalition, an organization that studies fire laws.
Last year, he served as president of the Michigan Fire Inspectors' Society. He also has served on a committee to reorganize the Michigan Fire Marshal's office.
Locally, Ichesco was president of the Ypsilanti Firefighters' Association for eight years. He served on the city's nuisance abatement team, which focuses on controlling dangerous buildings, and the zoning board of appeals. He also serves on the Washtenaw County Emergency Planning Commission.
Ichesco is currently president of the Washtenaw One Hundred Club, an organization which supports active police officers and firefighters. He was a driving force behind the creation of the Washtenaw Memorial Park, dedicated to the memories of fallen police officers and firefighters in Washtenaw County.
Ichesco has had a longtime interest in making sure buildings are up to code. Firefighters are already conducting inspections in collaboration with the city's building department.
"They get to see buildings and how they're used, get familiar with them. This gives them advantages if there is a fire," Ichesco said.
"But, they have a vested interest in preventing them from happening."
He added that he would continue to oversee the inspection process, but would no longer be hands on.
Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for the Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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