The City of Weyburn has appointed a new Fire Chief to replace Denis Pilon, announced Mayor Debra Button on Wednesday.

Dale Kronebush, a 30-year veteran of fire fighting from Prince George, B.C., will begin his new duties as Weyburn's Fire Chief on Monday, July 7.

The 49-year-old is married and the couple have grown children.

"We're thrilled to get him. I think he's going to be quite an asset to the community and to the Fire Department," said Mayor Button.

Kronebush is currently back in Prince George, preparing to move here; his wife will join him here at a later time once loose ends have been tied up, said the mayor.

"I hope everyone makes him feel welcome, and will give him their best hospitality as he comes to our community," said Mayor Button.

The position of Deputy Fire Chief now remains to be filled, and Mayor Button indicated as a large number of candidates applied for the chief's position, some of those candidates may be contacted to see if they will accept the deputy's position instead.

Pilon left for Swift Current to take on the position of deputy fire chief there, citing the lack of a sufficient wage here, plus the inability of the city to hire on a deputy chief. He had been with the department for 18 years, 15 of those as the chief.