The Township Trustees aided by a seasoned Fire Service Leadership Review Panel analyzed more than a dozen candidate applications and resumes and conducted finalist interviews for the open Sugarcreek Fire Chief position. While they had many excellent candidates, the Sugarcreek Township Trustees unanimously voted to select their internal candidate, Doug Buffenbarger, to serve as the next Sugarcreek Fire Chief. He was sworn in on January 9, 2023.
Doug Buffenbarger, a 33-year veteran of Fire Services, was selected to bring a new vision to the Sugarcreek Township Fire Department. Doug has been with the Sugarcreek Fire Department for five years as a Lieutenant supervising a three-person engine and medic crew, functioning as a Relief Shift Commander, serving as an Assistant Training Officer, and the President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 4175. Doug previously served with the City of Springfield Fire Division for 28 years. His father, who was also a Fire Fighter once told him, “This Fire Department was here before you got here and will be here after you leave, the question is, how will you impact that Department while you are here?”
Doug describes himself as a Servant Leader and wants to create a departmental culture that will be the envy of all Fire Departments in Southwestern Ohio. Doug believes in empowering every member of the organization so that they feel a sense of ownership in their Department.
Carolyn Destefani, President of the 2023 Sugarcreek Township Trustee Board, describes Doug “Buff” Buffenbarger as a “dedicated, motivated, and fair-minded individual who takes pride in training and mentoring Firefighters and Paramedics. He is a collaborative and skilled leader who will enthusiastically maintain Sugarcreek’s tradition of first-rate customer service for our citizens while also fostering effective communication, employee morale, and a culture of teamwork and mutual respect. Additionally, Buff expressed his commitment to have the Department fully engaged and visible in our community”.
From left to right: Sugarcreek Township Trustee Fred Cramer, Sugarcreek Township Trustee Carolyn Destefani, Sugarcreek Township Fire Chief Doug Buffenbarger, Sugarcreek Township Trustee Marvin Moeller, and Greene County Commissioner Dick Gould pose for a picture immediately following Chief Buffenbarger’s Oath of Office