Mike Mahlmeister, or “Moose” to those close to him, will take over as the new fire chief of the Ironton Fire Department after being sworn in by Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship Monday morning at the fire station, something he says has been a goal of his for a while.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be fire chief,” he said. “You start out in the fire service, you don’t want to seem too ambitious, but it’s always something I’ve kept in the back of my mind.”

Mahlmeister said he’s been with the Ironton Fire Department for around 23 years and previously served as the department’s inspector.

“When I first started, I kind of gravitated toward the inspector position, but as I gravitated that way, it also pulled me in towards the chief’s office,” he said. “I tried to learn as much as I could from all the higher-ups, especially the chiefs I’ve had, and I know I’ve got big shoes to fill from Chief Runyon. But I think I’ve learned a lot and I think I’m ready to go.”

To read the full story, see Tuesday’s edition of The Tribune.