The Frankfort Board of Public Works and Safety approved the implementation of a new firefighter for the Frankfort Fire Department and the promotion of a firefighter to Lieutenant at the department.
Fire Chief Matt Stidham approached the board Wednesday evening to request the approval of a new firefighter, Grady Welk. The board unanimously agreed to approve Welk’s employment, and he is slated to begin his work with the Fire Department on Jan. 3 with the B Crew.
“Grady Welk has went through the process, he was one of the highest selections on our process,” Stidham said. “I don’t know Grady personally, but I’ve kind of got to know a little bit about him, not from him or his family, but actually from some of the people going through the Fire 102 class. They really talk highly of him. I’ve got some of our instructors that are there that have actually talked about how well he’s doing some of the actions he’s actually displayed while he was there.”
Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets commented that she has been pleased with the recent hires for the different first responder departments, and she views Welk’s employment as another exciting opportunity to further strengthen the Fire Department’s capabilities to serve the community.
“We have put in the budget for next year for a new firefighter, so I am very pleased with this new firefighter that we have now hired,” Sheets said. “They go through a process, and I know that they work really hard to get a good person into that position. It’s exciting. I’m so happy he’s coming to the Frankfort Fire Department.”
Greg Miller, Board of Works member and fellow firefighter, commented that Welk will be a welcomed addition to the department, and he stated that he looks forward to working with him in the future.
“I always look forward to working with new firefighters,” Miller said. “It’ll be interesting, and I’m sure it’ll be a great career for you.”
Stidham continued to request the approval for Curt Uitts to be promoted to Lieutenant for the Fire Department. The board unanimously approved the promotion with a start date of Jan. 1 where Uitts will take the reins of the B Crew.
“Curt Uitts has been an exemplary employee at the Fire Department,” Stidham said. “He’s always looked at the Fire Department as not just a job but as a career and a profession. He puts a lot of work into it.”
Sheets echoed Stidham’s sentiments, stating that the city is thrilled with the promotion of Uitts to the Lieutenant title, and she expects that he will lead the B Crew to success well into the future.
“With some of the changes within the department, we did have a lieutenant’s position open, and now that will be Curt Uitts that is able to take that,” Sheets said. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about Curt and what a good person that he is and a good firefighter and a good leader, so I think that’s going to be good for the department.”
Miller stated that he has worked closely with Uitts in the past, and he excitedly made the motion to approve Uitts’ promotion, which was swiftly passed.
“I’ve worked with Curt at Station 2 and seen how he carries himself not only at that office but also in public,” Miller said. “Curt would be a good choice for a Lieutenant.”
Both men will take on their positions in 2024.