CLINTON - After a controversial summer that included the appointment of a new fire chief and the resignation of eight firefighters, the Clinton Fire Department is trying to get back to normal.

Seven firefighters will be added to the force when their initial training exercises are completed, Public Health and Safety Commissioner Jerry Milton said.

"They are going through the training process under Dave Dallas, who trains all the new firemen," Milton said. "The training is pretty intense, but we obviously want people who are properly trained, and he does a great job."

Eight firefighters resigned after Milton appointed his son, Shawn Milton, as chief in August. The city council voted in favor of the appointment, 3-2, but the move angered several people who picketed in front of City Hall on council meeting nights following the appointment.

Once the new members are added, Jerry Milton said the department will concentrate on recruiting firefighters in an attempt to bring the force up to capacity. With the new members, the force will have 25 firefighters. Fully staffed, the department would have 42 members.

Training sessions are held over the course of seven consecutive weekends, Shawn Milton said.

"We're doing this as quickly as we can so we can build the department's numbers back up," Shawn Milton said. "But, everyone is working well together and are committed to moving forward."

More applicants will be considered for positions, once the new members are on the force, but Shawn Milton said he wanted to keep the numbers in the training classes low for safety reasons.

"We want to make sure they understand, and it's easier to learn in small classes," he said.

A decision is expected soon on a full-time engineer, the position held by Gary Gundy, who took a position with the Decatur Fire Department. The city Fire and Police Commission is interviewing candidates and is expected to make a recommendation later this month.

kbarlow@pantagraph.com