When it came down to making a decision about Peachtree City's next fire chief, the Peachtree City Council decided to go with a candidate who knows the department well.

Council appointed acting chief Ed Eiswerth to the role, following a nationwide search of candidates for the position.

"Ed's experience and knowledge of the department operations, both in fire and EMS, make him an excellent fit to serve as Peachtree City's chief," city manager Bernie McMullen said in a press release Friday morning.

Eiswerth first joined the Peachtree City Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter/EMT from 1989 to 1992, earning recognition as rookie of the year in 1989 and firefighter of the year in 1990 and 1991. He left the department in 1992, but returned as a full time firefighter/EMT in 1994, earning his paramedic certification in 1995.

Eiswerth was promoted to operations/EMS captain in June of 1998, and was named assistant chief/operations in October of 2001.

Eiswerth has a Masters of Science in public administration and a Bachelor of Science in forestry. He is a Level 3 certified fire officer and Fire Instructor, a level one certified fire inspector, and a certified hazardous materials first responder.

“I would personally like to congratulate Ed on this appointment – I know the department is in capable hands,” McMullen said.