Petersburg Pilot -

Kyle Clayton / Petersburg Pilot

Doug Welde runs the first volunteer fire department meeting as chief after being voted in last Thursday. Welde has been acting chief since earlier this summer after the previous chief resigned. "I'm real grateful," Welde said. "I'm proud to be the chief of the department. It's got a long and outstanding history of great service to the town." Welde was also the previous Fire Marshall until he retired. He's served as a volunteer assistant chief for more than 15 years. His term as chief will last for three years.