GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) – Grand Island is under a judge’s order to appoint a full-time fire chief or an interim by June 11.
Hall County District Judge James Livingston issued the order Wednesday in response to legal action filed by fire Capt. Scott Kuehl, who says it’s a matter of public safety.
The city appointed an interim chief last October, but hasn’t had a chief since February when the timeline for having an interim chief expired.
City Administrator Mary Lou Brown is acting chief. Kuehl’s attorney, John Corrigan, says there’s no evidence she has the credentials to be acting chief.
Corrigan says the city is required to have a full-time chief under state law, and the judge agreed.
City Attorney Robert Sivick is evaluating the order.