At one point last week, the Mills Fire Department was without a fire chief, an assistant chief, and a captain.

That void has since been partially filled, and town officials are moving forward with plans to complete the leadership team.

The department has weathered turmoil since late spring, seeing the ouster of a fire chief, the resignation of his replacement, and a handful of policy disputes between younger firefighters and older leadership within the department.

In May, more than a dozen firefighters signed a letter of no-confidence in the leadership of then-Chief Ron Schindler. At the time, the firefighters accused him of playing computer games at work and failing to stock a key medicine on the town's ambulance.

Schindler was pushed out by the town council after he fired a subordinate, in part because he was one of the firefighters who spoke against him at a town council meeting. The town council voted to ask for his resignation. He retired in August and was replaced by his assistant, Keith Jones.

Jones resigned last week after arguing with town council member Elsie Herbort and said he felt her actions repeatedly undermined his authority within the troubled department.

The council installed firefighter Andy Hentzen as the assistant chief, and Hentzen agreed to serve as the interim chief until the town hires a permanent chief. His appointment alleviated some of the stress on the department, and town officials say they're now looking ahead at hiring another fire chief with the help of Casper Fire Chief Mark Young.

Mayor Joe Dill said he, Young and Mills Police Chief Jerry Endresen would screen and interview potential candidates for the position.

Hentzen said he hasn't decided whether he's going to apply, and Dill said the town hasn't received any applications yet.

Both Dill and Hentzen said there's a more cordial atmosphere in the department since Jones' resignation last week. Hentzen said the firefighters have been batting around different community outreach ideas, such as a pancake breakfast, but haven't settled on anything yet.

"This process is going to be a long process. It ain't like a light switch. It's going to take a long time to heal some of the ills going on," Dill said. "Andy [Hentzen] or anyone will tell you. It didn't happen overnight and won't be cured overnight.

Last we knew: The Mills Town Council installed Andy Hentzen as assistant chief, and he agreed to serve as the interim chief until a new chief is hired.

The latest: Town officials will screen and interview potential candidates with the help of Mark Young, Casper Fire Department's chief, according to Mills Mayor Joe Dill.

What's next: Any recommendation made by Dill and others involved in the hiring process would have to be approved by the town council. Dill said he's confident the council would approved whomever is recommended.

You can reach city reporter Pete Nickeas at pete.nickeas@trib.com or (307) 266-0639. You can read more about Casper politics and government at http://tribtown.trib.com/redtape.

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