A 10-year veteran of the Ironton Fire Department is now a captain.

Thursday morning, Mayor Robert Cleary swore in Mike Mahlmeister as a captain. Mahlmeister is filling the position left open when Inspector Jim Monte retired.

"I'm going from a 24-hour job to a nine to five job," said Mahlmeister. "It's a good deal. I have a nine-month old baby, and I'll be able to tuck her in at night now."

"He has a teaching background, and he works well with the public," said Chief Tom Runyon. "This job entails a lot of public relations work, and he'll do very well in that area."

Mahlmeister is a former Lieutenant. Joe Stevens, a firefighter, was sworn in after him to fill that position.

"It's going to be challenging," said Stevens. "But, it's something different."

"These guys have worked hard in our department," said Cleary. "They're well-qualified, and we're looking forward to having them on board in their new positions." Amelia Pridemore/The Ironton Tribune