The Mehlville Fire Protection District Board of Directors recently promoted Capt. Kent Snelson to deputy chief and Pvt. Mike Emms to captain.

Snelson, a district employee since May 1990, will be paid a base salary of $84,861.

Emms, a district employee since October 1995, will be paid a base salary of $71,671.

Chief Jim Silvernail and Administrative Chief Fire Officer Tim White recommended Snelson for the deputy chief’s post, board Chairman Aaron Hilmer said.

“After Chief White and Chief Silvernail evaluated potential candidates, their unanimous recommendation was to promote Capt. Kent Snelson. He was the unanimous vote by the Board of Directors,” he said, adding the board voted unanimously to name Emms captain.

“We’re very pleased to promote two individuals who have shown not only a willingness to embrace change, but want to help implement it and keep moving the district forward in a positive direction …,” Hilmer said. “These are the kind of qualities we look at in anybody for a future promotion.”