FCFD Board Votes Canter as Chief of the District

A much-anticipated meeting of the Fredericktown Community Fire District Board of Trustees was held last Wednesday night, February 12. It was a regularly scheduled meeting where firefighters and community members expected typical business, but also more details on the process in the selection of the new and permanent Fire Chief.

After some discussion and deliberation, the board first voted to amend previous discussion where the fire district would now look only within for their search of the new fire chief. The board after more discussion on the process voted to make Dwayne Canter the official Chief of the FCFD, ending the debate and the search.

“The membership of the district is pleased, and relieved with the decision of the board of trustees,” said FCFD Public Information Officer Jason Bostic. “This is a positive move for the district. We as a whole can now further focus on long range goals, planning, and maintaining the continuity, quality, and knowing the direction we are headed.”

Chief Canter has been with the district since 1992 as a line firefighter, working his way through the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain before being named to Assistant Chief in February of 2010. He was named acting Chief at a highly attended board meeting in December 2019, before this board decision to install him as the official Chief of the fire district.

Chief Canter is certified at the Firefighter II (240-hour) level of education and is a Certified Fire Safety Inspector. He holds a fire protection license from the Ohio Department of Commerce – Division of the State Fire Marshal for servicing/testing/repairing fire alarm and detection systems, sprinkler/standpipes, portable fire extinguishers, and pre-engineered extinguishers.

He resides in Fredericktown with his wife Heather and their daughter Brianna.