On Monday night, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the hiring of Mark Emert as chief of the fire department.  Emert's latest role has been the Assistant Fire Chief for the Affton (MO) Fire Protection District.  Mark promoted through the ranks at Affton over a 25-year career.

Emert is heavily involved in training in Missouri, and was awarded The Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association and The Greater St. Louis Area Training Officers Association Instructor of the Year in 2011.  Emert is also nearing completion of his Bachelor's Degree in Fire Service Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Mark is also claims to be a decent hunter and fisherman, but we'll surely put him to the test to verify that he's not just blowing smoke.

Congratulations, Chief Emert, and welcome to the Collinsville Fire Department!