New Fire Chief, 20, Takes Helm at City of Bloomfield, IA, Fire Department

The city council chose Daniel Oliver over Bloomfield Interim Fire Chief Brian Thomas, who has well over a dozen years of fire service experience.

Susan Nicol

Nov. 10, 2025

The City of Bloomfield officials have hired a 20-year-old to lead the fire department.

Daniel Oliver has worked for the Ottumwa Fire Department for two years. He graduated from high school in 2023.

On a 4-1 vote, city officials chose Oliver over Interim Fire Chief Brian Thomas, who has been with the department for a dozen years, according to KTVO.

Thomas took over when former fire chief, Jeff McClure, retired in July 2025.

Firefighters were pushing that someone within their ranks be the next chief, noting that Thomas had prior firefighting experience before joining the department.

They questioned Oliver's brief tenure.

Mayor Chris Miller argued that because Oliver is a full-time firefighter with Ottumwa and gained 'a lot of experience' because they respond to more calls than Blooomfield.

About the Author

Susan Nicol

News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.