(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved the appointment of Gene Atland as fire chief.

The Commission took the action on the recommendation of the Hiawatha Fire Department.

Atland has served as interim chief since last November. He was appointed to the interim role after the Commission voted to remove Ryan Shockley as fire chief.

The Commission last month approved the appointments of all other city positions, except fire chief. A recommendation from the fire department to appoint Shockley to the position failed to garner a motion.

City Administrator Mike Nichols informed the Commission at their June 1 meeting that he had recently became aware that Kansas Statue requires those appointed to city positions be a resident of the city or live within a two-mile radius. Shockley lives outside the two-mile radius.

Atland's appointment is for a two-year term.