Hastings has a new Fire Chief after the Hastings City Council, on a divided vote, confirmed the appointment of Mark Jordan to the post on the recommendation of City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale.

Moyer-Cale reported to the Council that the city received 15 applications for the fire chief position which were narrowed down to six applicants who were interviewed. From those interviews, the panel narrowed down the final three candidates. A town hall meeting was scheduled, and the candidates were invited to participate in answering questions from City Manager Moyer-Cale and members of the public who attended.

Jordan becomes the Hastings/Birch Fire Departments next chief following the unexpected death in April of this year of longtime chief Roger Caris.  Assistant Fire Chief Rick Krouse has served as interim Chief since Caris’s passing. Numerous members of the public as well as the Mayor and Council members praised Rick Krouse for his dedication and service to the department and community, while many expressed disappointment that Krouse was not promoted from within as Chief. 

Mark Jordan holds an Associate of Science degree and various certifications. He served in the Bellevue Fire Department for many years including over five years as Fire Chief. He has also been a business owner and communications engineer in his prior experience.