ROCK SPRINGS – Rock Springs did not have to look very far to find the new Rock Springs Fire Chief as former Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1 Chief Jim Wamsley was unanimously appointed to the position on Tuesday.

The city began the process to find a new chief after Lyle Armstrong announced his retirement on Dec. 12, 2014, after six and a half years as the Rock Springs Fire Chief. Armstrong served on the Rock Springs Fire Department for 25 years.

After advertising the position and receiving several applications, Rock Springs Mayor Carl Demshar asked the Fire Civil Service Commission to go through the applications to make sure the best possible candidates were put up for final approval. On Tuesday night, Demshar gave his appointment Jim Wamsley up for council approval.

Demshar said he has had a long working history with Wamsley in his previous position as Chief of Fire District No. 1.

“He is very capable and competent,”Demshar explained on why he went with Wamsley. “He is very organized and knows what it takes to be Fire Chief. It is what we were looking for and is a perfect fit for us.”

Wamsley told SweetwaterNOW he is humbled and honored to have been picked to be the next Fire Chief of Rock Springs. At the same time, Wamsley said he understands the position brings a great responsibility.

Wamsley has been in the fire business for 20 years with 13 years with Fire District No. 1. Of those 13 years, nine were as chief. He said he has had the opportunity to serve with many good people during this time.

“So far, this (being a firefighter) has been the most challenging but the most rewarding experience of my life,” Wamsley said.

His first order of business will be to get to know the firefighters of the RSFD and get to know how the department works. Even though he has shared many scenes with the members of the RSFD, he said there is still a learning period for him as well as the members of the RSFD to get to know each other.

While excited to get things started in his new role, Tuesday was a little “bittersweet” for Wamsley.

“It has been an honor to serve with everyone at Fire District No. 1,” he said. “They have instilled in me a reverence about this job and serve as role models for doing the right things for the right reasons.”