Monte Curtis has been named the new fire chief for the Moab Valley Fire Protection District. Curtis has been the assistant fire chief and served as the interim fire chief since former fire chief Corky Brewer’s resignation Aug. 1. Brewer served as Moab’s fire chief for 24 years.
Curtis began working with the fire department in 1980 as a volunteer. He has worked as the assistant fire chief for the last 28 years, for the first five years under former fire chief Troy Black.
“I’m excited about serving the community and the department in that capacity,” Curtis said.
Izzy Nelson, the chairman of the Moab Valley Fire Protection Commission, said he is pleased with the hire.
“We’re happy with him,” Nelson said. “That’s why we hired him.”
The commission reorganized the department with the hire of the new chief. Brewer was a full-time fire chief, whereas Curtis will be a part-time fire chief, as he also owns and operates Nelson’s Heating and Refrigeration. Phillip Mosher was promoted to a full-time position as the assistant fire chief. Mosher will assume the day-to-day operations of the department.
“There are some minor things we want to change,” Curtis said. “But for how we’ve been managing the department and doing training will continue.”
The Moab Valley Fire Protection District has three staff members and approximately 40 volunteers.
“We will provide the same good fire protection we’ve offered for a long, long time,” Nelson said.
