DAYTON DAILY NEWSCopyright (c) 1997, Dayton Newspapers Inc.DATE: Friday, May 23, 1997TAG: 9705230156EDITION: CITYSECTION: METROPAGE: 1BSOURCE: By Laura A. BischoffDAYTON DAILY NEWSZICKLER RESIGNS POSTDAYTON'S FIRE CHIEF SURPRISES COMMISSION   Dayton Fire Chief Robert Zickler has resigned his Dayton post to becomeKettering fire chief where he will manage fewer employees, a smaller budgetand take a pay cut.   "It's just personal. It's something I've always had an interest in. I'vehad a number of years experience in (volunteer fire departments) without beinga manager," said Zickler, 54. "These kinds of positions in this communitydon't come open very often."Kettering Fire Chief James Frey is retiring July 3 after 33 years,  thelast 15 as chief.   Zickler, who was hired by former city manager Bill Estabrook and introducedto Dayton the same day Estabrook was fired, manages a $29 million departmentwith 14 fire stations and 420 employees. He is paid $77,000 a year.   In Kettering, Zickler will manage 47 full-time firefighters and 120volunteers and a budget of about $6 million, Zickler said. He will be paidjust under $70,000 and be required to move to Kettering, only months aftermoving into his newly-built house in Dayton. He will likely begin his new jobJune 23.Dayton commissioners said they were surprised by the announcement.   "I'm disappointed. I thought he was doing a very good job and he broughtthe morale in the department up," said Commissioner Tony Capizzi. "I know hewas disenchanted in the last few weeks over the budgetary cuts or how that washandled."   Shortly after taking the Dayton job, Zickler presented a five-year, $14million plan to improve the department. But this year, he was asked to cut$780,000 from the budget. When he suggested cutting 12 firefighter positionsto save money, union members began speaking to community groups and generatedopposition to the plan. Commissioners eventually killed the plan and asked      Zickler to come up with another approach.   City Manager Valerie Lemmie said, "I can appreciate the challenge anddifficulties of wanting to move ahead with creative ideas and being temperedby the fiscal realities."   Mayor Mike Turner said he would give Zickler a C-minus when it comes tocommunications and he doesn't believe Zickler's resignation is a big loss forDayton. "I believe that he can be replaced and we will be able to maintain theexcellent fire services," Turner said.Zickler denied being frustrated by the budget troubles. "That's just part ofthe job when you're in an urban setting. That's just part of the job."   Firefighters Local 136 President Tom Trimbach said Zickler was aknowledgable chief with some great ideas, but may have tried to change toomuch too fast without fully understanding the department and the city'sadministration. That led to tension with both firefighters and administrators.   "I think it probably overwhelmed him and us," Trimbach said.Trimbach said Zickler might have an easier time building relationships with asmaller department and city government. "I hope it works out for him," hesaid.   Lemmie said she will talk to department leaders about how to handle the      transition but she expects to conduct a national search for a new chief. Shewants someone who will manage the department within the existing budget, workwell with the union and promote regional cooperation.BOX: Zickler's agenda     Dayton Fire Chief Robert Zickler promoted a number of changes in the     department, including:     * Cross training firefighters as paramedics     * Purchasing air masks for firefighters     * Promoting a regional training center     * Promoting a regional communications center     * Offering medical advice to 911 callers instead of sending paramedics to     every call and then billing insurance carriers for the advice service.     -------------------------------------------------------------------------->* Staff Writer Lou Grieco contributed information to this report.LENGTH: 83 linesILLUSTRATION: COLOR PHOTO: Robert Zickler