Washington Evening Journal
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Fairfield council approves interim fire chief
Andy Hallman
Mar. 16, 2022 11:57 am
FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield City Council approved hiring an interim part-time fire chief at its meeting Monday night.
The council voted to hire Lyle Hannes, previously the assistant fire chief, as interim part-time fire chief to replace Scott Vaughan, the former fire chief who stepped down from his position. Vaughan’s last day was Friday, March 11. Vaughan announced he had accepted a job as Oskaloosa’s fire chief.
Hannes will be paid a starting salary of $3,750 per quarter, plus any yearly increment raise.
Hannes appeared before the council, and said he was excited to take on this new role at the fire department.
“I look to continue to give the citizens of the city and the county the high-level services that we have for the past at least 22 years that I’ve been on,” he said.
With his promotion to interim fire chief, Hannes announced that other firefighters would assume new duties, too. Brett Ferrel will become the new assistant fire chief, and James Scotton will become the senior officer.
Vaughan attended Monday night’s meeting, where he was presented with certificate of appreciation from Fairfield Mayor Connie Boyer. The certificate honored Vaughan’s service to the Fairfield Fire Department from 1995-2022.
“We want to thank you for everything you’ve done for our community, and we wish you the best of luck in your next venture,” Boyer said.
Vaughan took the microphone and added that Steve Winslow was moving up in rank as well, becoming fire captain.
“You’re going to have 80 years of experience with those guys,” Vaughan said, talking about the four firefighters who are being promoted. “Things are going to continue on smoothly, and I look forward to that new station. Thanks for your support in getting us to where we are.”
Boyer thanked Vaughan, City Engineer Melanie Carlson, Fairfield firefighters and the Fire Station Task Force for their work in helping to pass the March 1 referendum to build a new fire station.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com