Former chief temporarily returns to Lansing Fire Department

THURSDAY, Aug. 27 — A former Lansing fire chief will return to Lansing next month as interim fire chief while officials look for a permanent replacement for Mike Mackey.

Mayor Andy Schor announced today that Greg Martin, who served as chief and emergency management director for the Lansing Fire Department from 1996 to 2006, will return as interim fire chief beginning Sept. 28. Mackey leaves Sept. 4.

Martin, in a press release, said he will first take time to reacquaint himself with the department, assess various strengths and weaknesses and search for opportunities to improve efficiencies.

“Chief Greg Martin knows firefighting and knows the Lansing community,” Schor said. “He has tremendous leadership experience, working as fire chief for a combined 22 years in five different fire departments throughout the country. I’m thankful that he’s willing to return as interim chief while we embark on a search for a new permanent leader.”

Mackey resigned this month after fewer than 18 months on the job and just one day after a racial discrimination lawsuit was levied against the city by several current and former Black employees at the Fire Department, among other city employees. He wasn’t named in the suit, hasn’t been accused of discriminatory behavior and said he’s leaving for personal reasons.

Mackey was paid $124,471 annually. Assistant Chief Mike Tobin will be paid an prorated annual salary of $112,779 to serve as interim chief until Martin arrives. Martin will receive $140,000 annually to serve as interim chief until a replacement is found.

Martin has served as fire chief in Sioux City, Iowa, and Rochester, Minnesota, since he retired in Lansing. He retired from the Rochester post in 2018.

Martin graduated in 1988 from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program, holds the chief fire officer designation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and is a graduate of the Rocky Mountain Leadership program. He has more than 36 years’ experience in various positions ranging from emergency management director to fire chief.