The City of Utica has appointed a new interim fire chief less than a day after announcing the previous chief resigned.
Retired Capt. James Barefoot, who served three years in the Army and 32 years with the Utica Fire Department before retiring in 2012, has been appointed by Mayor Robert Palmieri as temporary fire chief. He replaces John Kelly, who stepped down from the position Friday in light of allegations of sexual misconduct on fire department property.
Barefoot, who is a small business owner, will step aside from running the business to focus on the new role, the city announced.
“I love the Utica Fire Department and I’m honored to be given the opportunity to once again serve the residents of Utica,” Barefoot said in a statement.