After spending almost a year as interim Danville fire chief, Don McMasters now has the job permanently. The Danville city council unanimously approved McMasters’ appointment Tuesday night.
McMasters has been with the Danville Fire Department for 24 years. He was previously a volunteer firefighter in Westville.
Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. credited McMasters for spending a longer period of time than expected as interim chief while continuing to work his regular shift.
The chief said he hopes to continue to build up the fire department.
{“I’M HOPING THAT WE CONTINUE MOVING THE DEPARTMENT UP TO A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL, BASICALLY UNTIL WE CAN’T GO ANY HIGHER.”}
McMasters is the first Danville fire chief in 16 years, after the fire and police chief jobs had been combined as public safety director. Chris Yates was appointed last year as police chief. Both Yates and McMasters will receive an annual salary of $125,000.
