Richard Stirts has now officially regained his position as fire chief, this time with a full-time title. Chief Richard Stirts told KOLR 10 that a tax increase passed in August 2015 included a stipulation that the Fire Chief position be moved from a part-time to a full-time position. On his Facebook page today, Stirts said the board held a special meeting Sunday where they voted to name him the full-time chief. He also had this to say: "For 30 years I have done both the fire department and Conservation work. I will miss everyone that I worked with at MDC and riding the dozer, but this year I have proven to myself that I can still do it on the ground and plan to continue to fight the wildfires. I had an amzing career at MDC and work with some folks that I will never forget. It allowed me see the world and make me the person I am today. Thanks Tim Pratt and Doug Young for all the work you did to get me hired. As always I may of opened my mouth when I should of not, but I enjoyed being a leader even if i was at the bottom."