Bloomington Fire Department Chief Jason Moore resigned from his position Monday, just three days after mayor-elect Kerry Thomson reappointed him as chief.
According to The Herald-Times, Moore sent an email of his letter of resignation to the Bloomington Fire Department staff saying he is leaving the job that he started in 2016.
“I appreciate the relationships and connections established between IU and BFD during my tenure,” Moore said in an email sent to the Indiana Daily Student. “Being a guest instructor, providing fire and incident management services to IU athletic events, or working with student projects around the IU Crisis Technology Innovation Lab has been a great source of joy and inspiration. Thank you to everyone who made this happen.”
In his resignation letter, Moore alluded to challenges within the fire department as his reason for leaving.
“While I realize there are still big challenges ahead, I am hopeful that you are on a great path with continued support from the city administration and council to correct the last three major hurdles to elevate you to the staffing levels, pay, and dispatch services you deserve,” Moore wrote.
The local fire union has attributed a recent exodus of firefighters to low pay and staffing shortages.
“Chief Moore let Kerry know Tuesday afternoon of his decision,” Thomson spokesperson Jeff Harris said in an email to the IDS. “We thank him for his service to the community and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
Thomson announced former chief Roger Kerr as interim fire chief in Moore’s absence.
“Chief Kerr will bring experience and a steady hand to the Bloomington Fire Department, and I am grateful he has agreed to step up once again,” Thomson said in a press release.
According to the press release, Kerr has been with the fire department since 1988 and served as chief from 2008 to 2014. He will assume the position on Jan. 1, 2024.
“As with other department leadership vacancies, Thomson and her team will conduct a search to find the best person possible to fill the fire chief’s position on a permanent basis,” a representative said.
