MASON — A 25-year veteran of the Dayton Fire Department is among five finalists to head up Mason's fire department.

        John Robert Moore, an assistant fire chief in Dayton since 1994, has risen through the ranks since joining that department in 1975.

        Mason officials hope to name a new chief by the end of this month, City Manager Scot Lahrmer said. Former Chief William Goldfeder resigned in October amid a city investigation into allegations of sexual harassment lodged against him by several female employees.

        Of the candidates, two are from Ohio, and there is one each from Florida, Illinois and Virginia.

        The other candidates for the Mason job are:

        • H. Michael Drumm, fire chief in Markham, Ill., since 1993. Mr. Drumm joined the Markham department in 1991 and has also served as deputy chief. He holds a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University and a master's from DePaul University.

        He also has been a part-time sworn police officer for Monee, Ill., since 1996.

        • Gregory F. Schwab of Grandview Heights, Ohio, a captain with the Grandview Heights Fire Department since 1991. Mr. Schwab is also an adjunct professor at the Ohio Fire Academy, and a park ranger for the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District. He was a firefighter/paramedic at Perry Township in Dublin, from 1989-91.

        He has a bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University.

        • John Eggleston of Franklin, Va. He has been fire chief/emergency services coordinator in that city since 1998. He was previously assistant chief of the Chesterfield Fire Department in Chesterfield, Va.

        He has a bachelor's degree from Averett College.

        • Dale F. Palmer of Ft. Myers, Fla. He has been assistant chief for the Cape Coral Fire Rescue Depart ment since 1998. He joined Cape Coral in 1975 and has served as captain, lieutenant and firefighter.

        He has a bachelor's degree from Barry University.

        The city conducted a nationwide search and received about 80 applications for the post, Mr. Lahrmer said. The field was cut to 12 candidates, who were sent through an assessment center to evaluate administrative and incident command skills.

        “We're looking for a skilled administrator, a skilled manager,” Mr. Lahrmer said.

        The new chief also should have a significant amount of supervisory experience and be familiar with a growing area, Mr. Lahrmer said.

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