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Dan Benecke Named Ridgeville Fire Chief





Dan Benecke

Dan Benecke

Dan Benecke, a 20-year veteran of the Ridgeville Township Fire Department, has been named the new chief.

He follows in the footsteps of his father, Dex, who held the post twice– from 1985- 1999, and from 2006- 2012.

Dan Benecke replaces Kenneth Freytag, who died June 17. Freytag was named chief in September 2012.

Freytag was out on medical leave for several weeks prior to his death. Dan Benecke said he was promoted to acting chief in June while Freytag was on leave.

Dan Benecke said the process for selecting a new fire chief starts with the members of the department, who conduct a sealed vote on a candidate for the job.

The membership recommendation then goes to the Ridgeville Township Trustees, who make the final selection.

Dan Benecke said the trustees appointed him to the post at the Monday, July 10 meeting.

He first joined the department in 1997, and was promoted to captain under the late Bob VonDeylen, former chief.

VonDeylen resigned from the department due to health reasons in the summer of 2006. He died that October.

“I’ve had a lot of mentoring over the years,” Dan Benecke said. “First Dad, then Bob, then Dad again, then Ken.”


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