photo by: Mackenzie Clark

In this Journal-World file photo, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Division Chief Tom Fagan, left, speaks to the Douglas County Commission during its meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, as Interim Chief Shaun Coffey stands by.

City Manager Craig Owens announced Tuesday that Division Chief Tom Fagan will serve as the interim chief of the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical department.

Owens said in a city news release that Fagan had done an excellent job serving the community at the fire-medical department, and he was confident Fagan would excel in the new role as the city conducts its search for a new chief.

Fagan has been with LDCFM for four years, serving as division chief of administration during his tenure, according to the release. Prior to joining LDCFM, Fagan served 17 years with the City of Lee’s Summit, Mo. Fire Department. Fagan said in the release that he was honored to continue serving the community and his fellow fire-medical team members as interim chief.

Chief Shaun Coffey recently announced that he would retire at the end of the year, and Fagan will take over beginning Dec. 18. The City of Lawrence will begin a recruitment process for the next permanent fire chief in January.