North Platte Mayor Dwight Livingston has named and interim replacement for retiring Chief Paul Pedersen.

Dennis Thompson, who is currently the Assistant Chief, will assume the role until a permanent replacement can be found.  The North Platte City Council is expected to approve the appointment at Tuesday’s meeting.

Pedersen’s has been with the NPFD for 41 years, and has been the Chief of the department for the last 20.

Thompson began his career with the NPFD in 1993.

According to officials, potential candidates for the position will take the civil service exam on April 8, and those candidates that pass the exam will be interviewed by the Civil Service Commission.

As the Post reported in March, only one potential candidate was able to pass the test in January, which prompted Mayor Livingston to request an extension in the search for the department’s new chief.

According to the Civil Service Commission, applicants must score a 70 percent or better on the exam before they are able to move forward in the interview process.

The commission will then make a recommendation to the Mayor.