Seneca appoints Interim Fire Chief

The City of Seneca has appointed an interim fire chief. On Friday, July 27, Mayor Dan Alexander and City Administrator Scott Moulder announced that William Merritt of Townville has been named interim fire chief for the Seneca Fire Department. Merritt assumed the chief’s duties at 5pm Friday after Chief Jan Oliver retired following 33 years of service to the city. Merritt is currently serving as shift captain for the department and brings over 25 years of firefighting experience to the chief’s job. “It’s an honor for me to be able to step forward to temporarily fill Chief Oliver’s shoes,” Merritt said. “I have worked alongside him at the department in many capacities since my first day on the job in 1993. From shift mates to serving with him in his role as chief for seven years, it has been a great experience for me.” Moulder said the city is fortunate to be able to make such a smooth transition in the changeover, citing Merritt’s 25 years of firefighting experience and the close working relationship between incoming chief and outgoing chief as significant factors in making the choice. The City of Seneca is the final stages of interviewing potential candidates to permanently fill the fire chief’s position and expects to wrap up its search in the coming weeks.