Drew Schumacher appointed new MP Fire Department chief

The Mt. Pleasant City Council named Drew Schumacher as the new Mt. Pleasant Fire Department chief during a special session on Thursday, Sept. 27.

Schumacher was the senior captain of the department before being appointed chief following Stewart Kinney's retirement from the department after 52 years. The position of fire department chief is volunteer.

City Administrator Brent Schleisman said the council considered the long-term future of the fire department in making their decision such as possibly incorporating a part-time building inspector or code enforcement officer. Schleisman said Schumacher's background in construction gives him good experience in these areas.

'We feel that it could be the right path for us at this time,” city counselor Terry McWilliams said. 'Just like anyone starting a new job, we hope the transition goes well and things can move forward.”

The city council received two applications for the job of fire chief. The other applicant was Jeff Beavers, current assistant chief. After some discussion, the council agreed that appointing an interim chief and looking outside the department for applicants for fire department chief was not necessary.

City council member Steve Engberg said choosing between the two applicants was the toughest decision he has made during his 20 years on city council, adding that it was not a clear-cut decision.

Even so, the council unanimously approved Schumacher as chief.

'We still have one of the best fire departments,” McWilliams said. 'All those folks pull together and do the job they need to do.”

Schumacher began volunteering with the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department in 1993. The News was unable to reach Schumacher for comment.

Mayor Steve Brimhall and city counselor Matthew Crull were not present at the meeting.

*The spelling of Drew Schumacher's name was corrected. The News apologizes for the error.