SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Thursday afternoon, Clay Township Trustee Sean O’Brien announced Jaren Kilian will be the next Clay Fire Territory Fire Chief.

Kilian's been part of Clay Fire since 2005 and part of its leadership team since being promoted in 2012 to his current rank of Assistant Chief of Administration.

Kilian’s officially becomes fire chief on February 20.

“It has been an absolute honor to serve the communities of Clay Fire for nearly 20 years. I thank Trustee O’Brien and the Clay Fire Territory Fire Commission for this tremendous opportunity to lead this outstanding worldclass organization,” said Kilian. “As a mission-focused servant leader, I understand the importance of working alongside the dedicated staff of professionals at Clay Fire to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. I look forward to continuing the deeply engrained commitment to excellence established by our retiring Fire Chief Timm Schabbel.”

Kilian will replace Fire Chief Timm Schabbel, who is retiring from Clay Fire after 35 years of service on February 19.

Kilian started his firefighting career in 1999 in Colorado Springs, Colorado before moving to Indiana in 2004.