Bloomington has tapped a 23-year member of its fire and emergency services teams to become the city's next fire chief.
Deputy Fire Chief Cory Matheny will assume the department's top job on Dec. 1, according to a news release. Matheson's promotion follows an announcement earlier this year that current fire chief Eric West plans to retire on Dec. 7.
City Manager Tim Gleason said in a statement that Matheny was chosen for the job for "his exceptional leadership qualities and deep understanding of the dynamics involved in today's fire service."
"I have full confidence in his ability to lead this amazing department into an exciting new chapter," Gleason said.
Matheny was initially Bloomington's deputy fire chief in an interim capacity after then-chief Brian Mohr retired in late 2020, prompting West to assume the interim role of chief before officially assuming it in 2021; Matheny also officially became deputy chief in 2021.
Prior to that, Matheny also worked as a paramedic and as the EMS supervisor.
