The Clinton Fire Department has a second assistant fire chief.

As Commissioner of Public Safety Dan Ballenger seeks out a new fire chief, the Council Monday night approved Dan Ballenger, Jr. to the post of assistant chief. City Administrator Tim Followell points out Ballenger, Sr. abstained during the vote and it was unanimous otherwise.

The situation resembles a similar situation within the Fire Department about a decade ago but Followell indicates there were about 15 firefighters at the meeting Monday who offered their support to Ballenger, Jr.

Followell offered an update on the latest in the search for a fire chief noting the pool for the position is probably not very big in addition to the fact it can be a challenge to work a full-time job and be the fire chief of a small community fire department.

Monday night, questions were raised regarding the efficiency of the department working with two assistant chiefs but also without a chief and everything seemed to indicate things are running smoothly under the current circumstances but efforts to find a chief will continue.