Shaun Lutz has been selected as Aurora’s new assistant fire chief, Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin announced July 12.
Lutz’s appointment will be subject to confirmation by the city council at its meeting on July 17. He has an expected annual salary of $104,000.
Matthew McBirney, the previous assistant fire chief, was promoted to chief in February after previous Chief Dave Barnes retired. Lutz was previously employed by the Beachwood Fire Department and served as its assistant fire chief.
“Shaun’s depth of knowledge and experience in fire prevention, fire investigation, and fire department administration will certainly benefit our organization and we are excited to bring him aboard,” McBirney said.
A committee made up of Council President George Horvat, Council Representative Scott Wolf, Aurora Law Director Dean DePiero, Personnel Director and Chief of Staff Karen Pope, McBirney and Aurora resident Dennis Mervis were in charge of searching for and interviewing finalists, and making recommendations to the mayor.
Lutz is currently pursuing a degree in Fire Science at Lakeland Community College. He has been a part-time firefighter and paramedic for Aurora since 1999, in addition to his full-time position at Beachwood.
“Shaun is a proven leader and is respected by his fellow firefighters,” Womer Benjamin said. “In a field of some excellent candidates, Shaun nevertheless stood out.”
