After weeks of not having a chief, the Ester Volunteer Fire Department welcomed Jeff Conner as the new Fire Chief.
Daniel Rosales, a resident engineer with the Ester Department says that they have been working with Chena-Goldstream to provide chief services. "So I am very excited to have our new chief in-house, he is very excited to start taking over this new opportunity, and we are looking forward to it," said Rosales.
Conner said that his job is made easier by coming to a department with a strong volunteer core, good retention and high morale, something that is challenging at volunteer departments.
Conner received a baptism by fire, after less than 8 hours on the job, when the Blue Loon went up in flames. He had just received parts of his gear less than an hour before the call came in. He said fighting a fire with his new team so quickly gave the perfect opportunity for him to see how they work.
"It was great to meet my crews, the Ester volunteers on scene, and they all did a terrific job," said Conner.