DAMASCUS, Ohio - Damascus Fire Chief Shawn Mesler is officially stepping down from his current role in the department.

Mesler tells 21 News he is stepping down as chief due to the availability of time. Mesler holds three other jobs outside of the Damascus Fire Department. He is a full-time firefighter with the Salem Fire Department, has a part-time job in excavating and serves as a Goshen Township trustee.

Mesler says all of his time outside of those three jobs is dedicated to his role as the Damascus Fire Chief.

Despite stepping down as chief, Mesler is not leaving the Damascus Fire Department entirely. He will still serve as a captain while Justin Thompson will serve as the department's new chief.

Like Mesler, Thompson is a full-time firefighter in Salem. Mesler says Thompson has a lot of experience under his belt and expects him to do a great job as the department's new chief. Mesler plans to help Thompson with his transition into his new role.

Mesler has been with the Damascus Fire Department for 35 years and has been with Salem for 30.