CANFIELD — The Cardinal Joint Fire District Board of Directors on Monday unanimously approved Lt. Herb Fogle as the next captain of the department, filling a seat left vacant by Conner O’Halloran when he accepted the position of Mahoning County Emergency Planning and E911 Administrator.

Fogle was all smiles after the announcement and is ready to step into the position. Fogle will move to captain effective Friday and will officially be sworn in by the board at the December meeting.

The fire board also discussed a request by O’Halloran for a three-month extension on his unpaid leave of absence.

“I have a real problem with someone who leaves to try a new job, then wants another three months just to be sure,” said board member Marie Cartwright. “I am not sure it’s appropriate.”

The board also discussed what would happen if O’Halloran were to return to the department.

Capt. Josh Grossman, who also serves as the firefighters union president, looked up the union contract, which states it is up to the fire chief to grant a second, three-month unpaid leave of absence. That left the ball in Chief Don Hutchison’s court.

Hutchison said the main thing he is looking at is the experience, should O’Halloran want to return. He said it is hard to get that kind of experience, so leaving the door open could be a good thing.

Board member Richard Russo said, “If he does decide to come back, he could take the lieutenant’s spot that will now be open. Then he could slide back into the next captain’s position.”

“I would just give him 30 days, until Jan. 10,” said board member Gary DiTullio.

Hutchison didn’t make a definite decision, but said he will likely approve one additional period of unpaid leave. A third request for leave, under the contract, would be made through a vote of the fire board.

The board also agreed to move Sam Kanagy from part-time to full-time. Kanagy is a firefighter / paramedic who has been part-time since March 3 of this year.

The board also approved the purchase of a new 2026 Super Duty F350 from Fairway Ford at a price of $60.596.52. The new truck will replace the 2005 command vehicle.

In other business, the board approved an agreement to sell a Life Pack 15 device that is no longer needed to the Girard Fire Department. The device was only used during the Canfield Fair and sat on the shelf the rest of the time. It monitors heartbeats and breathing, puts out an EKG, and delivers shock when needed. The Life Pack 15 will be sold for $6,000, which would be the trade-in price for the device.

Hutchison said with the government back to work, the district will be receiving a $71,363 FEMA grant to install new Magna Grip vehicle exhaust systems in the district’s stations. He said the district will have to put up a match of $3,587 to get the grant.