Southern Boone Fire Protection District names new fire chief

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Southern Boone Fire Protection District has announced its next fire chief.

M. Jay Niemeyer was announced as the Fire Chief for Southern Boone Fire on Monday over social media.

Niemeyer is replacing Jim Bullard, who retired in April after 47 years of service.

The new chief has been a firefighter since 1990, when he started as a volunteer firefighter for Boone County. He has also served as a paramedic for seven years in Columbia and four years as a firefighter in Lee's Summit. However, Niemeyer spent the past 24 years of his career with the Jefferson City Fire Department, where he is currently an Assistant Chief.

The release says Niemeyer is a Nationally Registered Paramedic and holds multiple certifications in Missouri.

He is the current Safety Officer for Missouri Task Force 1. With the group, he has been deployed to Hurricanes Helene, Florence and Katrina, according to the release.

Deputy Chief Colin Wright served as interim during the search process.