(Mesquite, NV) - The City of Mesquite is accepting applications for a new Fire and Rescue Chief following the resignations of Fire Chief Derek Hughes July 21st and Interim Fire Chief Dave Petersen leaving August 18th. His new employer is Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah, where he will oversee Emergency Services and Homeland Security. An employment opportunity that has been in the works for sometime, he said.

Petersen joined the department in June 2003 and served as Deputy Fire Chief. He assumed the Interim role last week when Fire Chief Derek Hughes resigned citing a desire to focus on his family and to pursue other career opportunities.

Hughes was a 15-year member of the Mesquite Fire and Rescue team. He had served the past 10 years as Chief. Under his leadership, the community benefited from significant improvements to emergency and fire service capabilities funded by federal and state grants.

Captain John Higley will assume the role of Interim Fire Chief until a new Fire Chief is appointed, according to City Manager Tim Hacker.

"Higley has previous experience as a Chief Officer with the Provo City Fire Department and is well respected within the department," Hacker said. “Operations of the department will continue uninterrupted as we have well-qualified shift Captains who supervise the day-to-day operations, and an outstanding staff of firefighters and paramedics,” Hacker added.

The city has begun the recruiting process, with job description and applications posted online at City of Mesquite Jobs. Applications will be accepted until August 31.