Buckeye Lake Fire Department appoints interim chief after mass resignations

BUCKEYE LAKE, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Buckeye Lake Fire Department has appointed a new interim fire chief after its previous chief and a number of firefighters resigned Monday.

According to Buckeye Lake Mayor Linda Goodman, Jerry Brooks was sworn in as interim fire chief Thursday. Goodman said Brooks has been a firefighter for 42 years, and holds a number of certificates related to the field.

Brooks' credentials include a Firefighter II certificate, which is the highest level of firefighter certification available in Ohio, according to Ohio EMS. Brooks also has a paramedic certificate and holds a fire inspector card, Goodman said.

The interim chief was sworn in after a mass resignation Monday, leaving multiple vacancies in the fire department. Former chief Keisha Amspaugh said she had been with the department for seven years, but made the difficult decision because she felt there was a lack of support from village administrators.

Village Council President John Lemmon said on Tuesday that the department is currently understaffed, but is quickly hiring new firefighters, with some already joining the force this week and other interviews scheduled.