The Fort Smith Fire Department's assistant chief is temporarily taking over now that the interim boss has retired, the city announced Friday.
Assistant Fire Chief Phil Christensen will begin serving in the top spot Saturday to replace Interim Fire Chief Terry Bigler, who retired from the department Friday. Bigler was promoted to the chief position on an interim basis after Chief Mike Richards retired in October after 32-plus years with the department. Bigler's promotion left a vacancy in the assistant chief position, which was filled in February by Christensen, a 24-year employee of the department.
"Before appointment as assistant chief, Christensen served two years as operations chief, and has over nine years in emergency management supervisory positions within the (fire department)," a news release from the city states. "Christensen will serve as interim fire chief while a search for a fire chief is conducted, and has submitted himself for consideration of that appointment."
The city received 26 applications for the chief position, including three within the department, Acting City Administrator Jeff Dingman said.