The Columbus Fire Department welcomed two firefighters to the department after they were sworn in by Mayor Jim Lienhoop during

Tuesday morning’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting at City Hall. Capt. Mike Wilson, CFD spokesman, says the new firefighters were hired to fill vacancies left by the recent retirement of Lieutenant Tony Shipley and Firefighter Doug Harrison, who, collectively, had 52 years of service.

Capt. Wilson says that Mayor Lienhoop swore-in 25-year-old Eric Brown and 27-year-old Derrick Chitwood. He says that Brown is a resident of Hope and a 2010 Graduate of Columbus North High School. Mr. Brown is a 2014 graduate of the University of Southern Indiana where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration. Brown is also a member of the Indiana National Guard, where he has served since 2012.

Chitwood is a Columbus resident and a 2008 graduate of Liberty County High School in Bristol, Florida. Wilson explains that Chitwood is a certified Paramedic and Rope Rescue Technician. He is also employed with the Columbus Regional Health Ambulance Service where he has served since 2012. Chitwood has 4 years of fire service experience as a volunteer firefighter with the Columbus Township Fire Department.

Wilson says that both firefighters will undergo a department orientation and training program before receiving their shift and station assignments.