Public invited to meet candidates for Marion Fire Chief

MARION - This weekend, members of the public will have the chance to meet four candidates vying to be chief of the Marion Fire Department.

Former Marion Fire Chief Terry Jackson retired in the spring. Two internal and two external candidates have been named. Residents are being urged to ask the candidates questions at 5 p.m. Saturday at Marion City Hall, 1225 Sixth Ave.

The candidates are:

l Jason Hansen, who has been with the Marion Fire Department for 15 years. He serves as district chief/fire marshal. He received his bachelor's degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University.

l Debra Krebill, who has been with the Marion Fire Department for 23 years. She is interim fire chief. She received her bachelor's degree in fire administration from Western Illinois University.

l James Larsen, who has been involved in firefighting for 33 years. He serves as an emergency incident management instructor and lives in Hampshire, Ill. He received his bachelor's degree in fire service management from Southern Illinois University.

l Lenny Sanders, who has been involved in firefighting and emergency medical service for 20 years. He serves as a staff critical care paramedic in West Burlington. He received his bachelor's degree in fire science administration from Waldorf College.