STAUNTON, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – The City of Staunton has announced that Jason Ball has been named the new Fire Chief effective immediately.

Ball, who had been serving as the interim Fire Chief since April, has been with Staunton Fire and Rescue since 1998 where he quickly rose to Lieutenant, then Captain and Shift Commander, and then named Deputy Fire Chief of Operations in 2012.

City Communications Manager Josh Knight says city officials are excited to have Jason move into this position permanently.

“Jason is a leader that advocates for all employees as a member of the Staunton Employee Committee and is constantly shining a light on the important work and outreach from the members of the Staunton Fire and Rescue Department,” Knight said.

Ball started his firefighting career volunteering at Weyers Cave Fire Company in 1994.