Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton has appointed an interim deputy chief to the city’s fire department as the person who currently holds that position plans to leave the department later this month.
The city announced Thursday that Max Litwin will take on the role, replacing Jayme Washel, who is leaving to become the chief of the Greenwood Fire Department in August.
Litwin will take on the role starting Monday. Washel’s last day will be July 30.
“We hope to have roughly a month of overlap so that I can learn the ropes from him and try to incorporate any knowledge that he has to pass onto me before he leaves for his new adventure,” Litwin said.
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Washel has been with the Bloomington Fire Department for more than 22 years and served as deputy chief for about 10 years. Litwin has served the department for more than 15 years and has a total of 17 years of fire service experience.
Fire Chief Jason Moore said the deputy chief oversees daily operations and the department’s expenditures. The deputy chief also fills in for Moore if he is away.
Moore said state law requires any appointments to upper-level fire department positions to be made internally. Since Hamilton is not running for re-election, the next mayor will have to choose whether to make Litwin the permanent deputy chief.
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“If Max were to step up into this new role and the new mayor did not solidify that appointment, he by law would go back down to his last merited rank, which was captain,” Moore said. “I would like to make sure that when the new mayor comes on board that we discuss and make sure that person would be good with this decision,” Moore said.
Before serving as a captain, Litwin served as a probationary firefighter and firefighter first class.
Moore described Litwin as a great asset to the department and said he was one of the first to adopt and accept budgetary responsibilities at a lower-level rank.
“Max is just a great person, a great leader and well respected, and I look forward to working with him,” Moore said. “The future of this department really does lie on the leadership of it. I’m looking forward to working with him as a key component of that leadership.”
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Moore also spoke highly of Washel and thanked him for his decades of service in Bloomington.
Litwin said he is thankful for the opportunity to serve as deputy chief, adding that each role he has held was an opportunity to do good for the community.
“I’m very much looking forward to seeing what avenues I have now and what I can do with them, both for the department and the community,” he said. “I’m excited. I’m happy for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to it.”
