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Clark accepted the job after the Washington Township Board of Trustees gave Fire Chief David Poterek the go-ahead to offer him the position at its April 16 meeting. Although the position is actually a step down for Clark, he said it will present a larger challenge and provide greater job security.

“It’s a much larger community. The city of Utica covers about two square miles and Washington Township has about 36,” Clark said. “One of my concerns is that when you’re a 2-square-mile city, you have to worry about the possibility of consolidation. What would happen if Sterling Heights or Shelby Township were to consolidate with us? It’s strictly a move for job security and it doesn’t require me to move. I can keep my home in Utica.”

Clark stressed that there are no current plans or reasons to believe Utica’s fire department would be absorbed by any neighboring communities. At age 47, however, he said he still has many years left in the field, and does not want to have to worry about what could affect his job and his family in the next several decades.

“I’ve got a long way to go,” he said. “Some of these other guys in other communities will be retiring in four or five years, but I’ve got a while left in this field.”

Clark was sworn in as Utica’s first full-time fire chief in January 2006 after the retirement of Robert Beck, who had served in the position since 1967. Clark said one of the reasons he has been able to manage the department efficiently is because of Beck’s success during his tenure.

“The department was well-run when I came in, so it was just a manner of working with that and then making improvements where it was necessary,” he said.

Those improvements, Clark said, include updating the EMS capabilities of the department, obtaining a thermal imaging camera through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security and improving fire prevention communication throughout the community.

“One of the big highlights for me was when we were able to install the carbon monoxide detectors in the homes of all the senior residents,” Clark said. “Also, we started some community CPR classes and we’re doing more in the schools than we ever had. Last year we did a half-day at Eppler (Junior High School) that worked out really well.”

Clark said he also has been helped by the cooperation of the Utica City Council and the other department heads, who have approved proposals for new items of equipment and new programs throughout the years.

“When we (the department heads) get together in front of the council and present our proposals, we have everything, either a grant or a budget line item, where we can pay for it and they’re very good at considering everything we bring before them,” he said. “There hasn’t been anything the fire department has needed that we haven’t gotten. Mayor (Jacqueline) Noonan is a big supporter of the fire department.”

Noonan, whose husband is a former Utica fire chief, said the city appreciates Clark’s contributions to the department.

“We wish him all the best in his new position,” she said.

Clark said he is looking forward to the challenges awaiting him in Washington Township. The department has several volunteer firefighters on staff, as well as paid officials. Clark said that balance, which is similar to what is faced by Utica’s department, will continue to be a challenge, as on-call firefighters have a high turnover rate. Clark said, however, that he is looking forward to working under Poterek’s command.

“I’ve worked with Dave before,” he said. “He’s been there two years and we run into each other on second alarms all the time. I think he faces a lot of the same challenges that I currently face in Utica.”

Assistant Fire Chief Randy Plante, who was sworn in at the same time as Clark, will handle the running of the department in the interim. A successor to Clark has not been named.