Published: June 09, 2009 08:48 am      

City welcomes Asst. fire chief

WEATHERFORD — Waxahachie Battalion Chief Paul Rust will be the City of Weatherford’s first assistant fire chief, officials announced Monday.

Rust will oversee training requirements for the department, fire and EMS continuing education, assist with budget preparation and serve as direct operations supervisor.

Rust is scheduled to begin working in Weatherford June 29, officials said. His salary was set at $82,500 per year.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Rust said he is honored to be named Weatherford’s first assistant chief and called the department and its members “top notch.”

“My first priority will be to get acquainted with all of the members of the Department, the organization and the community,” he said.

Rust spent 16 years with the Waxahachie Fire Department where he was a battalion chief in charge of logistics for the department, training division, emergency medical first responder program and firefighter wellness and fitness, officials said.

Prior to battalion chief, Rust served as firefighter, engineer, lieutenant and captain for Waxahachie. He is a licensed paramedic and master firefighter with a Bachelor of Arts degree in fire administration from Western Illinois University, and is a recent graduate of the Academy of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association.

Rust is reportedly pursuing a Masters Degree in Fire and Emergency Management online from the Oklahoma State University. He and his wife, Courtney, have two girls: Avery, 6, and Ashlyn, 4.

WFD Chief George Teague said he is pleased about the experience and training expertise Rust will bring to Weatherford’s fire department.