When Russell Taylor came to the village of South Zanesville's small fire department, he never saw a lack of EMTs, advanced fire equipment, or higher wages. He only saw potential.
"We do it mainly because we love helping people, lending a hand to someone in need," he said. "We don't do it for the pay, because it's not about the money."
Now, the village council voted to make him South Zanesville Fire Department's first-ever, full-time chief in order to fulfill his plans for the future. He was sworn in on Friday.
It's a small department, but Taylor has big expectations: He wants to implement a full-time staff to keep the ambulances and fire trucks at the ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week.