The Great Bend City Council Monday night named Brent Smith as fire chief. He had been serving as interim chief since the resignation of Luke McCormick in February.

The action followed a 15-minute executive session added to Monday agenda to discuss non-elected personnel. Following the approval, the council chamber erupted in applause from the crowd of Great Bend Fire Department firefighters in attendance.

“Thank you and I look forward to the opportunity,” said Smith,who joined the department in 2019.  He had been the GBFD’s deputy chief.

Final terms are yet to be finalized, but Smith will likely take over as chief next week, city officials said.

Mayor Cody Schmit thanked Smith for stepping in following McCormick’s departure.

Originally from Sedgwick and coming to Great Bend from Kingman, Smith said communication with in the department and city, and out in the community is key. “We just want to keep moving forward. There are good things going. This is a good place to work.”