Warren Named Fire Chief

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer-

"It's a little boy's dream," new Warsaw Fire Chief Matt Warren said today.

Warren, 44, has been with the fire department since 1984. Before assuming his newly appointed position, Warren was assistant to Warsaw Fire Chief Ken Shepherd.

Shepherd was demoted to driver with a little over a year left in his career before retiring.

"We don't want it to be ugly by any means," Warren said. "The mayor said we got into some situations. ... We just felt that it was time for a change.

"The mayor felt that he could communicate with me a little better," Warren said. "Hopefully we can serve the city just as well as we have been, maybe a little bit better."

Mayor Ernie Wiggins said he believed the "time was right to put Matt up into that position."

Wiggins said he talked with Shepherd and they both decided it was "appropriate to make the switch at this time."

"It's just a change," Warren said.

Wiggins said before Warren's promotion can be made official, it must first be approved by the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety. The board is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the council chambers in the City Council building.

Wiggins also said the "switch," if approved by the board, will be effective Sunday.

Shepherd could not be reached for comment. [[In-content Ad]]

"It's a little boy's dream," new Warsaw Fire Chief Matt Warren said today.

Warren, 44, has been with the fire department since 1984. Before assuming his newly appointed position, Warren was assistant to Warsaw Fire Chief Ken Shepherd.

Shepherd was demoted to driver with a little over a year left in his career before retiring.

"We don't want it to be ugly by any means," Warren said. "The mayor said we got into some situations. ... We just felt that it was time for a change.

"The mayor felt that he could communicate with me a little better," Warren said. "Hopefully we can serve the city just as well as we have been, maybe a little bit better."

Mayor Ernie Wiggins said he believed the "time was right to put Matt up into that position."

Wiggins said he talked with Shepherd and they both decided it was "appropriate to make the switch at this time."

"It's just a change," Warren said.

Wiggins said before Warren's promotion can be made official, it must first be approved by the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety. The board is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the council chambers in the City Council building.

Wiggins also said the "switch," if approved by the board, will be effective Sunday.

Shepherd could not be reached for comment. [[In-content Ad]]

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