Both Scott Basar and Bill Regnier became firefighters with the Chelsea Area Fire Authority (CAFA) in 2008.
In February 2016, after oral and written boards as well as several interviews, Basar added the official title of Fire Captain and two bugles to his lapels: Regnier earned the official title of Fire Lieutenant and added one bugle to his lapels.
Both spent two years in their respective positions with an acting title attached, but in February, their supervisory positions became official upon the recommendation of Fire Chief Jim Payeur and a unanimous vote of the CAFA board.
“I always knew I wanted to be in public service,” said Basar, who recalled that while growing up, one of his neighbors was a firefighter. “The profession always intrigued me.”
Regnier said he was already a police dispatcher and a paramedic with Jackson County Ambulance when he decided to pursue firefighting.
“I was handling a lot of the same calls,” he said, and liked that the firefighting was hand’s on.
Regnier has an Associate’s Degree in fire science, and in addition to his firefighting duties, he’s a part-time senior medic with Jackson County Ambulance and a part-time Chelsea police dispatcher.
Both Basar and Regnier said they’ve been on the same shift together for almost all of their time at CAFA. And, now, if Basar takes a day off, Regnier runs the shift.
“We have an outstanding working relationship,” Basar said of the men on his shift that include firefighter Eric Stanley. “We know on the scene what the other person is going to do.”
And, although they’ve been doing these jobs in an acting capacity for two years, “Ultimately, now with these positions solidified, it will make for better operations,” Basar said.
“It’s an honor and a privilege for us to be part of this organization and to serve the citizens of Chelsea and the surrounding communities,” Basar said. “We look to continue down the path of being the best we can be for the people, and continue to provide the best services because that’s what they expect and deserve.”
