010/24/2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
James P. Reardon Sworn in As New Liberty Township Fire Chief
Powell Ohio: Liberty Township Board of Trustees swore in, Battalion Chief James P. Reardon, as Fire Chief of the Liberty Township Fire Department. The swearing in ceremony was held in the Township Hall at 7761 Liberty Rd. N at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 24, 2022.
Chief Reardon grew up a Liberty Township resident and began his career with Liberty Township Fire Department at age 16, as an Explorer. After graduating from Olentangy High school in 1993, Reardon attended Eastern Kentucky University, graduating in 1997 with a B.S. in Fire Safety Engineering Technology. He continued to work for Liberty Township as a part-time firefighter until he was appointed to full-time in January of 1998.
In April 2003, after being promoted to Fire Prevention as an Inspector, Reardon’s main responsibility was overseeing the construction of Station 322 on Sawmill Parkway. This experience led to the formation of a Support Services officer for the department which Reardon fulfilled until being named Chief this year.
Station 322 opened in 2004 and Reardon was promoted to Captain in 2005. In 2009 following the retirement of their long-time chief, he was promoted to Assistant Chief. In 2013, LTFD created a new position of Battalion Chief; Reardon was the first named Battalion Chief of the department.
Chief Reardon feels that, while becoming the fire chief in the community that raised him is a lifetime achievement, his goal is to ultimately build a department that does not need him in order to operate. He believes in delegating responsibilities to the men and women of his department to foster a sense of
ownership of the department, accountability to one another and engagement in the community they serve.
Reardon resides in Columbus with his wife of 22 years, Jill, and their two children.
Reardon is the 8th Fire Chief to serve Liberty Township since its inception in 1947.