Tommy Tate can lose the interim from his job title.

Tate was appointed Demopolis Fire Chief during Thursday night’s council meeting.

A 23-year veteran of the department, Tate says he looks forward to working with his second family.

“We have a lot of good guys in our department,” Tate said. “I just look forward to leading these guys. I have a family at home and an extended family at work.”

Tate follows Ronnie Few, who was not reappointed when the new council took office in November. He has served as interim chief the past six weeks and was battalion chief before then.

There were five applicants for the fire chief position, all from within the department. Four of those candidates were interviewed for the job, Mayor Mike Grayson said.

In other business, Jay Reynolds was appointed to the city’s water and sewer board.

Nominations were also made for two other boards.

Dexter Jones, Alfred Padilla, Jason Perryman, Rob Pearson, Martin Simmons and Paul Willingham were nominated for four spots on the park and recreation board.

Ronnie Chu, Jim Grantham, Judy Travis and Webb Tutt were nominated for two positions on the hospital board.

Both board appointments will be voted on during the first meeting in January.