Former Bloomington Fire Chief Roger Kerr will reclaim the title on an interim basis while Mayor-elect Kerry Thomson searches for a permanent replacement for sitting chief Jason Moore.
Thomson announced the appointment Thursday — three days after Moore submitted his resignation to Mayor John Hamilton.
Kerr has worked for the department since 1988 and served as chief from 2008 to 2014. He currently holds the title of battalion chief.
Kerr will take over for Moore Jan. 1.
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“Chief Kerr will bring experience and a steady hand to the Bloomington Fire Department, and I am grateful he has agreed to step up once again,” Thomson said in a written statement.
Moore started as chief in 2016. His resignation will be effective at the end of the year and came less than a week after Thomson announced she would reappoint him.
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Moore’s departure follows a recent exodus of firefighters, which the local fire union attributes to low pay and staffing shortages.
In an email to department staff, Moore wrote he hopes the incoming administration and city council will address staffing levels, pay and dispatch services.
Moore has not specified his reasons for leaving.
