The City of Tool is looking for a volunteer fire chief to recruit volunteer firefighters and restart the now defunct department.

The city is currently running an advertisement seeking a non-paid volunteer for the position. Applicants must possess a clean driving record and pass a criminal background check. At least five years of experience in firefighting is being sought. The fire chief will report directly to the council as a whole.

Applicants must be able to develop the department by recruiting firefighters, write grant proposals, maintain safety standards, train volunteers, keep all equipment ready for service and represent the city at county-wide meetings and other functions.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 26 at 5 p.m., and applications should be submitted to City Secretary Makenzie Blaser, Tool City Hall, 701 N. Tool Drive, Tool, TX 75143.

Blaser said city officials would like to see the new fire chief appointed and working to establish the new department by the end of October. “It all depends on getting the new fire chief appointed,” she said.

The council voted to re-establish the city fire department in June after the former fire chief and most of the volunteers resigned after alleging conflict with newly-elected Mayor Tamra Brickey. The mayor denied interfering in the department’s operation.

A survey of residents revealed 70 in favor of restoring the city’s volunteer fire department while 63 favored dissolving it.

Tool Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., which is supported by Emergency Services District No. 4, also serves Tool residents. Some residents claim supporting two volunteer fire departments is unnecessary.