CRANBERRY TWP — Township supervisors Thursday hired Scott Garing as the township's chief of fire and emergency services.

Garing, who also serves as chief of Harmony Fire District, recently was director of Quality EMS. Jerry Andree, Cranberry township manager, said Garing's pedigree made him an obvious choice for the position.

“We've been watching his career,” Andree said, referring to Garing's service in other fire and emergency management agencies, adding that he thinks Garing is the “right match” for the position.

The department works closely with — as the name implies — the fire company and EMS providers in the township and immediate vicinity. Garing said he is excited about his new position.

“I am excited to be afforded the opportunity,” he said. “I am very eager to be part of the group and do some great things for the community and fire company.”

Garing replaces David Gallagher, who was appointed director of public safety in December 2016. The Fire and EMS Department was created as part of a reorganization of the township's public safety functions in early 2017.

New rides

Supervisors also approved the purchase of three new police sport utility vehicles, totalling about $73,000 after trade-ins.

According to an invoice on the township's website, two of the vehicles will be marked and one unmarked. All three are 2020 Dodge Durangos.

Police Chief Kevin Meyer said they would replace four police vehicles, which the township traded to the dealer, Tri-Star Motors of Blairsville, for $24,000 total. He added that supervisors originally had approved the purchase of three Dodge Chargers, but the department decided against that after learning of transmission issues in those vehicles.

“There is a little bit of an increased cost in these, but we feel that it's going to be the best fit for us in terms of outfitting these vehicles,” Meyer added.

Interim engineer

Jason Kratsas, the township's director of engineering and environmental services, will leave his post Friday to pursue opportunities in the private sector, according to Andree.

While the search for a permanent replacement is on, supervisors appointed Tim Schutzman interim township engineer and director of engineering. Schutzman is the waterworks coordinator in the department.

Supervisor Mike Manipole said Kratsas' work in Cranberry was “impeccable.”

“And your dedication to the township, your efforts and all that you do, your high-quality standards — we're greatly appreciative of all that you've done,” Manipole said.