(AP) — The interim fire chief in Omaha has been named permanently to the post.

Mayor Jean Stothert announced Monday that Bernie Kanger will lead the Omaha Fire Department. He beat three other finalists for the job following a nationwide search.

Kanger has been with the department since 1991. He served as battalion chief before he took on the interim role last August. That’s when former Chief Mike McDonnell agreed to resign under a deal at the time with Stothert over the department’s budget. He went on administrative leave then retired in November.

Stothert has praised Kanger for his efforts to cut costs as the mayor and the fire union sparred over the department’s budget.