There were three standing ovations in the unusually crowded chambers at Greensburg City Hall during Monday night's council meeting.
The first came as Thomas Bell took the oath of office to become the city's first new fire chief since 1953.
“Every kid, growing up, wants to be a firefighter,” Bell said.
He acted on that childhood dream. He's been a Greensburg firefighter for 31 years, and an assistant chief for about six.
“I've always wanted to be chief,” he said.
He took the oath of office surrounded by his family as a crowd of fellow firefighters watched. Members of the fire department voted Bell into the position Saturday. His was the only name on the ballot. City council ratified the decision Monday.