Commission names interim fire chief pay, opens recruitment and discusses rescue truck repairs

The Pratt County Commission voted 3–0 to pay Assistant Fire Chief Clayton Kessler the fire chief salary on an interim basis while the county advertises the permanent fire/rescue chief position for 30 days.

Commissioners approved a 30-day recruitment window and directed staff to publish the vacancy; one commissioner moved and the body seconded the motion to hire and to pay Kessler's interim salary until the permanent position is filled.

Separately, commissioners discussed maintenance issues for rescue vehicles. Staff described problems with an alternator and a missing or damaged motor/turbo on a rescue unit and reported that coordination with contractors has been delayed by vacations and shop backlogs. Commissioners urged prompt repair or referral to other shops and agreed to get the vehicles fixed.

The commission also approved two personnel hires elsewhere in county operations during the meeting: a part-time public-transportation driver hire and a part-time EMT hire. The motion records indicate both hires passed 3–0.

No additional detail on interim pay amounts was provided in the meeting record; motions were moved and seconded on the record and approved unanimously.