News File Photo Alpena Township Fire Chief Mark Hansen sorts through a bag of supplies while at work in this February 2023 News file photo.

ALPENA TOWNSHIP — Alpena Township Fire Chief Mark Hansen agreed to take administrative leave this week, effectively ending his three-year tenure leading the Fire Department and making room for a new chief.

Hansen returned all of his gear on Wednesday afternoon after accepting an offer from the township to take administrative leave before his contract expires on Sept. 6.

The township Board of Trustees on Wednesday evening considered an interim fire chief contract with Andrew Pless, a fire lieutenant with Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority.

Pless has worked at Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority since April 2023. He previously served as fire chief of the Howell Area Fire Authority from 2008 to 2020, according to his resume submitted to the township and published in the township board’s agenda for Wednesday’s special meeting.

Hansen’s administrative leave was not a disciplinary action, he said. He had planned to use his accrued paid time off before his contract expired, and the administrative leave covers the time he would have had to work upon returning from vacation.

Hansen said he will be paid through the end of his contract.

“The reason why I’m leaving is that I fulfilled my contract,” Hansen said. “I’m going to do something. I’m just not sure what that is right now.”

Hasen, who worked in firefighting for 38 years, choked up in an interview as he read a draft of a letter he wrote on his personal computer to Alpena Township Fire Department staff, which he sent Friday morning.

In his letter, Hansen celebrated the department’s accomplishments and growth during his tenure. Under his watch, the department grew from three to seven full-time staff and “13 very dedicated paid-on-call staff,” he wrote.

The department furthermore improved and updated its licensing and compliance, established contracts to ensure proper maintenance of firefighting equipment, and purchased new firefighting tools and vehicles.

That “is not even close to everything we accomplished together but sure leaves a great foundation to build from with the proper support,” Hansen wrote.

Township Supervisor Nathan Skibbe declined to comment on Hansen’s administrative leave.

Abbi Kaszubowski, who is challenging Skibbe in Tuesday’s Republican primary, praised Hansen for his commitment. As chief, Hansen secured donations from local businesses and community members to repaint the Fire Department’s south-side fire station on U.S.-23 South and refurbished a dilapidated shed on the property.

“He took it upon himself to better the Fire Department and benefit township property,” Kaszubowski said.

She said she hopes that “nothing but positivity” comes as a result of Hansen’s contract expiring and a new interim chief taking over.

Chris Stephens, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1859, which represents township firefighters, said Hansen always advocated for the needs of department staff. He would take time to eat — and sometimes pay for — lunch with firefighters.

When Hansen and township firefighters disagreed, they worked together to compromise, Stephens said.

“If somebody does a good act underneath you, you praise them,” Stephens said. “That makes people willing to do other great acts. When you’re making a great work environment, you’re helping the community because of what you’re doing.”

Hansen echoed his appreciation for township firefighters in interviews and his letter. He said he always made time to discuss operational decisions in staff meetings and always wanted his staff’s input.

“You have made my time here not just fulfilling, but truly memorable,” he wrote to Fire Department staff. “While I may be moving on, I will carry the lessons, friendships, and memories we’ve built together with me always.”

Read outgoing Alpena Township Fire Chief Mark Hansen’s farewell letter to his staff below.

Mark Hansen Farewell Letter by JustinHinkley on Scribd