Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – It’s official — the top deputies in the Springfield Police and Fire Departments are promoted to the top jobs.

The Springfield City Council Tuesday night approved the appointments by Mayor Misty Buscher of Nick Zummo as Fire Chief, and Joe Behl as Police Chief. Zummo takes over now, while Behl will at the end of the month, both replacing retiring chiefs.

“We want to support, as the local, the appointment of Chief Zummo,” said Kainan Rinaberger, International Association of Firefighters Local 37 president.  “We’ve had a great relationship with him.  He’s had a great relationship in union representation, and as assistant chief.”

It’s possible Zummo has made a bit of city history.

“I’ve been here for 24 years, served in just about every role there is,” said Zummo.  “I think I potentially could be the first person to ever have every rank of the fire department, all eight ranks.  I don’t know that’s ever been done before, so I’ve worked my way to the top, hopefully.”

When Behl officially takes over, he says he has some staffing decisions to make.

“We have some openings, and we’re definitely going to be looking at doing some promotions soon,” said Behl.  “Deputy Chief (of Field Operations Andrew) Dodd is still with us, Deputy Chief (of Criminal Investigations Sara) Pickford, Deputy Chief (of Administrative Servies Joshua) Stuenkel as well.  Commander (of Criminal Investigations Ron) Williams, then Commander (of Field Operations Ryan) Leach, who will be promoted to Assistant Chief.”

Behl says one of his top priorities is to focus on the health of officers, because in his words, they’ll serve with even more integrity.

The votes on both Behl and Zummo were unanimous.

Aldermen Tuesday also approved an increase in the number of ambulances made available for EMS calls.