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Firefighting is life for new Mesopotamia chief

Outgoing Mesopotamia fire Chief Joseph Pavlic and new fire Chief Jamie Loza have worked together for decades and said they will continue to work together as Pavlic is staying on as a volunteer.

MESOPOTAMIA — Firefighting runs deep in Jamie Loza’s family — he’s been training for it since the age of 12, pretending since he was even smaller — and now he is serving as the new fire chief in Mesopotamia.

Members of the community were invited Saturday to the Mesopotamia Expo Center for a meet and greet with Loza, who was appointed to his new role Feb. 13 by township trustees.

Loza said he joined the all-volunteer department in 1996, and began working his way up the ladder. He served as lieutenant, captain and became assistant chief a year ago, in January 2016.

When outgoing Chief Joseph Pavlic announced his retirement, Loza was the logical choice to take the helm, Pavlic said.

“It’s a big job to take over. Last year we had the most calls we’ve ever had — 214. I have great faith in him,” Pavlic said.

The department answers a variety of calls, everything from structure fires, car accidents, medical emergencies and helping other departments out.

Pavlic vowed to stay on as a volunteer under Loza.

“I’m still going to run calls. Firefighting is in my blood,” Pavlic said.

Pavlic has been with the department for 41 years — 25 as chief. He is the last remaining member of the group who founded the department, he said.

The two worked closely together as the department went through technological changes and scrapped money together for operations.

Loza said he doesn’t see the need to change things up from Pavlic’s leadership style.

“(Pavlic) did a great job. I want to follow in his footsteps,” Loza said.

Pavlic said there will be challenges, it is harder than ever to find volunteers because of the amount of training and regulation the law now requires.

But things other things are easier than they used to be. There is a computer application the department and many of the neighboring departments use to send notifications directly to their smart phones whenever there is an emergency call, Loza said. The app gets the information even before their pagers do. The volunteers can view a map of where they need to be, and notify the others if they can make it to the call, Loza said.

Fire Lt. Joe Reis said Loza is a natural and very good leader.

“He gets along with everybody, is always willing to help, to lend a hand. Whenever we get a call, he is right there. Plus, he knows the ins and outs of the township. They couldn’t have picked a better man,” Reis said.

Loza also serves as the assistant chief for Trumbull County Hazmat and is employed as the township’s foreman so he he is always right in town, he said.

Loza’s father was a firefighter and his 19-year-old son, Brian Loza, is in training to become one.

Colleen Loza said she met Jamie Loza, her husband, 17 years ago and his drive made her want to be a firefighter as well. She received EMT and firefighter training 14 years ago.

“He goes to every call. He is dedicated. He pushes me to keep up with him. He doesn’t get paid, he does it because he wants to, because he loves to,” Colleen Loza said.

rfox@tribtoday.com

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