Chief Kane Moves From Fire Rescue To Township Office

On Jan. 14, Manheim Township Fire Rescue (MTFR) held a retirement party for Chief Rick Kane, who recently left the department after more than 14 years as chief. On Jan. 25, the Manheim Township Board of Commissioners chose Kane to serve as the township's manager/secretary, a position he accepted. His first day on the job was Jan. 31.

At his retirement party, Kane recalled becoming the first full-time chief for the township. "I was a volunteer at the Eden Fire Station starting in 1989," said Kane. "In 2007, when I was hired here, I was deputy director at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center." Prior to that, Kane said he was a career firefighter elsewhere. The 2007 board of commissioners conducted a national search, which included more than 60 candidates, before choosing Kane.

According to Kane, the most significant memories of his time as chief involve the support of volunteer firefighters, elected officials, and other township departments. "It's been phenomenal," said Kane. "Everybody else's support has allowed our department to grow so quickly."

Kane also noted that he values the relationships he has built with fellow members of the public service sector. "Some of the guys I have served with for more than 30 years," said Kane.

Kane's successor at MTFR, Scott Little, is somewhat familiar with the township, having served as fire chief for the City of Lancaster for three years. "(Little) and I developed a good relationship," said Kane. "I think his appointment will lend itself to the township and the city doing good joint projects as we move forward." Little began serving as fire chief on Feb. 7.

In his new management position, Kane will lead the daily operations of Manheim Township municipal departments with the continuous goal of improving quality of life and delivery of services for residents.

More information about Manheim Township may be found at http://www.manheimtownship.org.