Joe Mueller was sworn in Tuesday as the new interim Chief of Central Fire & EMS District, replacing Chief Bert Nitzke.
Mueller brings 35 years of firefighting and EMT experience to the position, which he will hold until June. Previously, he was battalion chief of Central Fire and served with the Colby Fire Department before it merged with the fire and EMS services of Abbotsford and Dorchester to form Central Fire last year.
He has lived in Colby most of his life and works full-time in addition to his duties at the fire department.
As chief, Mueller hopes to keep the station running smoothly and particularly recruit more members. “Volunteering is down everywhere,” he said. “Trying to recruit someone to come and do these jobs is not that easy.”
Those who are interested in joining the department as a firefighter or EMT can call 715-223-6458 or visit centralfireemsdistrict.org for more information.
