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William Swoyer Resigns As Bellaire Fire Chief

William Swoyer has resigned as chief of the Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department, but he remains employed by the village as its code enforcer.

Swoyer also serves as general manager of Emergency Medical Transport — a company providing ambulance services in Bellaire and the Ohio Valley.

Swoyer had been expected to tender his resignation as fire chief at Thursday’s council meeting, but he instead waited until the following afternoon.

“(Effective July 21, 2016) I, William Swoyer, hereby resign as police chief for the Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department due to reasons beyond my control,” he stated in his resignation letter. “I wish the full and continued success of the Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department. I also support the upcoming festival, and hope it is a great success.”

The Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department’s annual “Community Days Festival” is set for Aug. 11-13 in Bellaire Park.

Swoyer didn’t return calls seeking additional comment.

Councilman Jerry Fisher said it will be up to Mayor Vince DiFabrizio to appoint a new fire chief, and this will likely happen at council’s next meeting on Aug. 4. Council will then vote on whether to approve the appointment, but Fisher doesn’t expect there to be any conflict over the decision.

“(DiFabrizio) will appoint someone and he’ll be in,” Fisher said. “We don’t argue with him.”

Swoyer had served as Bellaire fire chief since the volunteer fire department began operation nearly two years ago on July 31, 2014.

The paid Neffs Fire Department provided fire service to Bellaire for the decade prior to this. Neffs took over the duties from the paid Bellaire Fire Department in 2004.

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