IMAGE GALLERY: Ellis Sworn in as Huntington's Fire Chief

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - 21:50 by Chris Spencer, HNN Photographer, by Tony Rutherford HuntingtonNews.Net Reporter

Having worked his way upward in the ranks of the Huntington Fire Department for 18 years, Randy Ellis took the oath Wednesday morning, March 21, as the city's new fire chief. Ellis has numerous challenges a foot, including the ongoing short staffing. The new chief intends to work with City Council to rebuild the department's morale and reputation. It once , according to several testifying at the Public Safety Committee, was the state's most awesome department.

Chief Ellis follows in the steps of Craig Moore. Moore came from Virginia and could not win the support of rank and file. He struggled with budget adjustments. Eventually, the firefighters delivered a no confidence petition to city council.

Aside from the department's budget and staffing, Ellis takes the reigns when an arsonist has been setting structure fires throughout the city. Although most of the buildings have been abandoned, investigators have not been able to stop the torching. Over 60 structure fires have occurred in three months, which is about half of the 2011 total.