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Decatur council appoints Deputy Chief Nathan Springer as fire chief over transparency objections
Summary
The Decatur City Council voted 4–1 on Nov. 11 to appoint Deputy Chief Nathan Springer as fire chief by exempting the usual recruitment process. Supporters cited Springer’s 25 years of fire-service experience and internal support; multiple employees and residents told council the process lacked transparency and denied staff a fair chance to apply.
The Decatur City Council voted 4–1 on Nov. 11 to appoint Deputy Chief Nathan Springer as the city's fire chief after exempting the usual open recruitment process.
Council members who supported the appointment said Springer’s long record and credentials made him the strongest internal candidate. A representative of human resources summarized his qualifications and training, saying Springer has “25 years in the fire service,” has served in the department for a substantial period and has completed executive-level coursework. At the podium, Springer thanked the council and said he would prioritize firefighter safety, training and interagency partnerships: “I take the duties…
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