Brian O'Neill sworn in as Louisville Fire Department's new chief

The Louisville Fire Department is in familiar hands with its next leader.

Mayor Craig Greenberg swore in new Chief Brian O'Neill at Metro Hall on Tuesday morning in a ceremony also recognizing six other department officials.

O'Neill was named the department's next chief in May, succeeding former Chief Gregory Frederick, who was at the department's helm since 1999. Frederick retired Tuesday after working for four decades with the department in various positions.

O'Neill, who most recently served as a battalion chief, spoke about the time of change that typically hits the department late in the summer as retirees move on.

"The spirit of all those firefighters that are retiring, that breathes in every apparatus and in every firehouse," O'Neill said. "There are no finish lines."

The department has been vocal this summer in its search for a diverse class of recruits, especially seeking women to join the force.

"We hope that more young women will see that there is an outstanding career in public service open to them and open to everyone at the local fire department," Greenberg said.

O'Neill, 49, has been with the department since 2003. A Marine Corps veteran, he also was president of the Louisville Professional Firefighters Local #54 for a decade.

O'Neill "knows what it takes to be an effective firefighter and an effective leader," Greenberg said. "We are so excited to work together as we move forward with the fire department's next chapter."

LFD is the third-oldest paid fire department in the United States. Greenberg said the department's staff of more than 500 responds to nearly 50,000 incidents per year.

The application period for the department's 189th class closes Aug. 11.

Reach reporter Caleb Wiegandt at cwiegandt@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @CalebWiegandt.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Fire: Greenberg swears in new Chief Brian O'Neill