New fire chief reports for duty

by Melissa Martin

July 2 city council meeting

Mark Bender, Brecksville’s new fire chief, was officially sworn into duty.

Bender, a 32-year veteran firefighter/paramedic, replaces former Fire Chief Nick Zamiska, who resigned.

Bender has served as fire lieutenant for the past six years and also has acted as the department’s CERT and water rescue team coordinator since 1999.

Council president Dominic Caruso said Bender’s background and skills will serve the department well moving forward.

“Mark has developed a lot of standardized training for the department, and he has experience in grant writing and funding and knows how to manage a budget,” Caruso said.

Councilman Dan Bender, the fire chief’s brother, also praised the new chief for his dedication to the community.

“I think I’m the only councilman that’s shared a bedroom with Mark for about a decade-and-a-half, so I have a unique perspective, but I wanted to say this is well-deserved. Congratulations, but I’m still mom’s favorite. Let’s just get that out of the way,” Dan Bender joked.

Though Dan Bender abstained from voting on his brother’s appointment and was not involved in the interview or hiring process, he shared additional insight prior to his brother being sworn into office.

“The last three decades growing up here in town, I’ve heard from people that had to call 9-1-1 for one reason or another – a family member, medical emergency, small fire, smelling gas, whatever the incident may be – people have said, ‘Hey, I met your brother and he was great. He was so calm and brought that calm demeanor and really diffused the stressful situation,’” he said. “I know he’ll take that same skill set into the new role as fire chief, and I think the city of Brecksville will be better off.”

Mark Bender told those in attendance he was happy to be taking on the new role with the department.

“What a change of events over the past four months,” he said. “I really didn’t think I’d be standing here,” he said, thanking his former mentors including the city’s previous fire chiefs and current and former colleagues for being in attendance.

Bender’s first official day on the job was July 5.

In other news, council approved:

A resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a retail purchase agreement with Valley Motor City Inc. for the purchase of a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

A resolution authorizing the mayor to provide a grant to the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Community Awareness and Prevention Association for the partial funding and operation of prevention and intervention services.

Legislation authorizing the mayor to execute a restatement of lease agreement with South Suburban Montessori Association Inc. for the lease of two premises in the Blossom Hill Property Complex consisting of approximately 36,000 square feet, including the use of access roads. ∞