New Fire Chief Introduced as Seven Hills Council Advances $230,000 Ambulance Equipment Plan

Seven Hills City Council's committee meetings on Sept. 15 introduced the city's new fire chief, previewed the equipment list for an incoming ambulance, and teed up a time sensitive tax resolution for the full council's Sept. 29 meeting. New Fire Chief Takes the Helm Councilman Patrick Elliott opened the Police and Fire Committee by introducing David Higginbotham as the city's new fire chief. Higginbotham told the committee he spent 31 years in the fire service and recently retired from Parma before taking the Seven Hills post. He said his background includes teaching advanced firefighting and instructor certification classes at Cuyahoga Community College, along with international live fire training work that he has scaled back since becoming chief. Councilman Brian Kelley welcomed Higginbotham and said he looks forward to working with the new leadership. Police Chief Michael Salloum had no items to bring before the committee. New Ambulance Comes With a Detailed Equipment List Higginbotham also briefed the committee on a new ambulance the city expects to receive in January 2027. He said the vehicle will need a full slate of equipment before it can go into service, including a cot and loader system, a cardiac monitor, vehicle chargers, radios, oxygen regulators, and a billing iPad. Higginbotham said he met twice with firefighters and a fire captain to trim the list and keep costs down, and that the Finance Committee, led by Director of Finance Aaron Frank, reviewed the details a day earlier. He told the committee the total should not exceed $230,000. Usable equipment from the ambulance being replaced will transfer to another vehicle still in service, he said. Public Works and Community Service Updates Council Pro Tem Justin Costanzo led the Public Works Committee, where Councilman Thomas J. Snitzky was present and Councilman Michael Morrow was absent. Service Director Jeff Bryda and City Engineer Daniel Gerson told the committee they had no new business beyond a previously discussed motion, and the meeting closed without action. Councilperson Stacey L. Kelly chaired the Community Service Committee, where Director of Community Services Tony Terry recognized a staff member for recent work in the department. Terry also confirmed that Seven Hills will hold its Fall Festival on Oct. 3 at the City Hall Pavilion from 1 to 5 p.m. Finance Committee Moves Tax Resolution Forward The Finance, Civil Service and Personnel Committee took up an annual resolution required by the county. The measure accepts the tax rates set by the county budget commission and authorizes the city to certify its tax levies to the county fiscal officer. Committee members were told the resolution needs to be finalized by October, and voted to place it on the Sept. 29 council agenda as an emergency measure so it can be adopted without delay. What Happens Next The tax resolution is scheduled for a vote at council's Sept. 29 meeting. The new ambulance and its equipment package remain on track for delivery in January 2027, pending final budget approval. FAQs Who is Seven Hills' new fire chief? David Higginbotham, who spent 31 years in the fire service and most recently retired from Parma, was introduced as the city's new fire chief at the Sept. 15 committee meetings. When will Seven Hills receive its new ambulance? The city expects delivery in January 2027, according to Fire Chief Higginbotham. How much will the new ambulance's equipment cost? Officials said the equipment package, which includes a cot system, cardiac monitor, radios, and other gear, should not exceed $230,000. When is the Seven Hills Fall Festival? The festival is scheduled for Oct. 3 at the City Hall Pavilion from 1 to 5 p.m. What is the tax resolution the Finance Committee is advancing? It is an annual resolution accepting tax rates set by the county budget commission and authorizing the city to certify its levies to the county fiscal officer. Council placed it on the Sept. 29 agenda as an emergency measure due to an October deadline.