The city of Newberry promoted Deputy Fire Chief Jason Lyman to fire chief on Monday.

In a Newberry press release, Senior Lt. Kevin Farr was also promoted to the role of deputy chief, where he will assist Lyman in his duties when absent.

The announcement comes two months after former Newberry Fire Chief Mike Vogel was arrested for driving under the influence and later resigned from his position. Lyman was elevated to interim fire chief after Vogel’s February resignation.  

 Vogel, 59, was sentenced to one year of probation and 40 hours of community service by a Marion County judge on April 20, according to a WCJB article.

“Chief Lyman and Deputy Chief Farr embody the values, experience and community spirit that are the foundation of Newberry’s Fire Department,” said Interim City Manager Dallas Lee in the press release. “Their commitment to excellent service and vision for the future will ensure the safety and well-being of our residents for years to come.”

Lyman’s career in public service includes serving in the U.S. Coast Guard out of high school before transitioning into fire service in 1992, where he volunteered with Islamorada Fire Rescue prior to Hurricane Andrew.

Since then, Lyman has worked his way up the ranks from lieutenant, shift captain, fire inspector to chief of operations. He has also been involved with the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association and the Florida Fire Chiefs Association.

Lyman lives in the Newberry area with his wife of 23 years, Summer, and their two daughters, Josie and Taylor.

Farr started his career as a part-time firefighter for the Newberry Fire Department in October 1997 and has risen through the ranks to senior lieutenant and now deputy chief. His fire service career started with the city of Archer’s volunteer fire department during his senior year of high school.

Farr is actively involved with youth agriculture programs and operates a family farm with his wife, Becky, and their two children, Lance and Madeline.