Mayor Andrew Ginther appointed a new interim Chief of the Columbus Division of Fire on Wednesday. Assistant Chief Jeffrey Happ succeeds Chief Kevin O'Connor who will retire on May 28. O'Connor announced his resignation back in March. Happ is a 27-year veteran to the Columbus Division of Fire and oversees the Fire Training Academy. The city will launch a national search for a permanent replacement and will hire a search firm to help find a group of qualified candidates. “It is my responsibility to ensure the City selects the best candidate to serve as the next Fire Chief, whether that person is an internal candidate or from outside the Division,” Ginther said. “I look forward to the chief selection process and to making significant and meaningful change in the interim.”