OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — The Oil City council appointed a new interim chief for the fire department after Oil City Fire Department Chief Mark Hicks and a captain with the company both announced their retirements.

According to City Manager Mark Schroyer, Captain Derek Long was appointed as the new interim chief during Thursday evening’s Oil City council meeting.

Schroyer said Long has been with the Oil City fire Department for approximately 17 years and is also a state fire instructor. He first began in the field as a junior firefighter with Rocky Grove Fire Department at the age of 17.

“He’s also been involved in many other ventures related to fire and EMS services,’ Shroyer told exploreVenango.com.

Long will be stepping into the shoes of Mark Hicks, who announced his retirement from the department during the meeting.

According to Schroyer, Hicks has been with the department for 23 years and took over as chief in January of 2017 after former chief Steve Hinds retired.

Schroyer said Hicks told the council he made the decision to retire in part due to the stress of the job.

“With the recent three fatalities in a house fire in Oil City plus an incident in the river where a boat capsized, and several firefighters were in danger of losing their lives, I think he decided the stress of the job was a bit much at this point in his life, and he wants to spend more time with his family.”

He noted that while Hicks is retiring from the Oil City Fire Department, he’s not retiring entirely from the field, as Hicks has accepted a fire-related position with a private entity.

Captain Dennis Alcorn, who also announced his retirement at the meeting, has been with the department for 25 years.

According to Schroyer, Alcorn’s reason for retirement is to pursue a business opportunity.

“He’s starting his own business, doing kitchen-related work, making and installing countertops. He’s name the business KNA Designs.”