MOUNT VERNON — Chills reached down Mount Vernon Fire Chief Chad Christopher’s spine in the 90-degree heat.

They weren’t caused by a brisk breeze entering Station 491 but by the promotion of two Mount Vernon Fire Department firefighters/EMTs on Friday late morning. Christopher welcomed family, guests, and Mount Vernon government officials to the event.

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr swore in Zach Wilson as a full-time firefighter and paramedic employee and Josh Lester as assistant chief — a position the department hasn’t filled since 2012.

  • Credit: Grant Ritchey
  • Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr speaks at Mount Vernon Fire Department’s swearing-in ceremony on Friday June 21, 2024. Credit: Grant Ritchey
  • Credit: Grant Ritchey
  • Credit: Grant Ritchey
  • Credit: Grant Ritchey
  • Josh Lester was sworn in as assistant fire chief for Mount Vernon Fire Department on Friday, June 21, 2024. Credit: Grant Ritchey

Christopher said that the city reinstated the position in its current budget.

Wilson’s father worked at Mount Vernon Fire Department, with his blue service helmet resting on top of Ladder 491.

Wilson started part-time with the department on Jan. 8, according to the department’s executive administrator Lindsay Hoar. The department hired him full-time on June 10.

Christopher said that Lester is the only employee in the department who has climbed every rank.

Lester was first hired on May 14, 2007. He was promoted to lieutenant/EMS coordinator on April 16, 2018, then to line lieutenant on April 20, 2021.

He advanced to captain on April 25, 2022, and finally to assistant chief on June 10, 2024.