FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Sixteen-year veteran Eric Lahey was introduced today as Fort Wayne's Fire Chief. He replaces outgoing chief Amy Biggs who resigned the position last week. 

Lahey, a Concordia High School graduate, has served as chief deputy, and deputy chief overseeing training and development in addition to special operations. He also served as a firefighter, including at Station 11 on East Rudisill Boulevard. He's also a veteran of the U.S. Army and Indiana National Guard.

“I want to make our firefighters have everything they possibly can have – all the resources ability, to be the very best at there job,” Lahey said. 

He's been with the FWFD since 1996.

Rusty York, the city's director of public safety, says he's excited by Lahey's promotion. “He's got some very interesting strategies he wants to implement.”  

York added that most won't notice any difference in response time or service to the public. “I think internally there is going to be a big difference. Just as far as leadership and training availability and opportunity for more firefighters.” 

Lahey says he wants to be remembered as “a honest man, a compassionate man and I did everything I could to help people. I've dedicated my whole life to service.”