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By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
CUSTER — Dale Goodrich has been hired as the new administrator of the Mason County Rural Fire Authority. Goodrich, a retired Michigan State Police trooper, previously served as chairman of the fire authority’s board.
He has served for seven years as the representative of Grant, Free Soil, Meade and Victory townships, and the Village of Free Soil, the last two as chair.
The Mason County Rural Fire Authority was established in 1996 and operates seven fire departments, Scottville, Custer, Riverton Township, Grant Township, Fountain Area, Branch Township and Free Soil/Meade. Its board members are appointed by the municipalities that fund the authority: City of Scottville, villages of Custer, Free Soil, Fountain, townships of Amber, Custer, Branch, Grant, Free Soil, Meade, Victory, Sherman, Sheridan, Summit, Riverton, and Eden.
The administrator oversees the business of the authority, answering to the board, Goodrich said.
Goodrich retired from MSP in 2013 after serving for 25 years. He also is a seasonal marine patrol deputy for the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.
“We have some challenges that we need to face in the next few years,” Goodrich said. “The biggest concerns the Authority’s millage and how we will continue to fund the same level of service we are currently providing.”
Currently, the fire authority is funded by 1.5 mills, which includes a 10-year 1 mill operating millage (expires Dec. 31, 2025) and .5 mill equipment millage that expires end of this year.
Goodrich said the fire authority also faces recruitment challenges.
“The expectations and standards on the firefighters and medical first responders continue to increase each year,” Goodrich said. “We are constantly seeking citizens who would like to serve their communities. Recruitment and funding are two of our biggest challenges.”
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