Dorner resigns as Lake Township fire chief

MILLBURY, Ohio — The embattled Lake Township fire chief has resigned — of his own volition, according to the township administrator and police chief.

Barrett Dorner, who had been on the job for 17 months, announced his resignation formally Monday morning, said Mark Hummer, the township administrator and police chief.

“He resigned on his own. He was not asked to resign,” Chief Hummer said.

He said Mr. Dorner evaluated things and decided he had better opportunities available to him.

“He’s a very talented and enthusiastic public servant, and I’m sure he will excel in whatever he does,” Chief Hummer said.

Mr. Dorner was solidly in the middle of a controversial fire levy that failed in November.

Township voters on Nov. 7 rejected an additional continuing 4.2-mill levy by a 2,504-1,428 vote — 64 percent opposed. It would have funded furthering full-time operation of the fire department, which has struggled to find volunteers and retain part-time workers.

Mr. Dorner was a staunch levy supporter and conducted several forums around the township. Social media, however, was often not his friend, and he endured hundreds of negative comments.

“I think all in all, he served the township well,” Chief Hummer said. “Again, he was not asked by the trustees or myself to resign.”

Previously, Mr. Dorner had been fire chief for Portage Township, in Ottawa County near Oak Harbor, Ohio, starting in October, 2021. He had been a Toledo firefighter and paramedic for nine years.

Chief Hummer said Mr. Dorner’s last day in the office was Friday. He will officially be on the payroll until June 4, using vacation and sick time.

Deputy Chief Dave Henninger, a long-time Lake Township employee and retired Toledo firefighter, is the interim fire chief, he said.

The township trustees will officially take action on the position and probably announce a search for a new chief during their May 21 meeting, Chief Hummer said.

Township officials will most likely not ask for a new fire and EMS levy this year, he said. There will be a renewal levy on the November ballot, he said.

“That’s going to be our biggest focus, and now finding a long-term fire chief,” he said.

Mr. Dorner could not be reached for comment.