Fairfield Twp. promoted two firefighters in its ranks Tuesday, naming a new assistant chief and a new captain after a year of upheaval in the department.

Matthew Schumann was named the new asssistant chief in the wake of the resignation of former Asssistant Chief Benjamin Bultman, who resigned last week after he admitted hacking into township computers and dissemenating confidential information. Jordan Gula was promoted from lieutenant to captain to fill the spot vacated by Schumann’s promotion.

“It’s great to be part of such an awesome organization. The actual word ‘chief’ is going to take a while to get used to, but we’re going to be OK and we’re going to move forward,” Schumann said.

Interim Chief Trish Brooks and Trustee Mark Sutton sought to reasssure residents that the fire department remains ready to serve.

“You hired me just two months ago, and I can report to you the fire department is well-trained and in good shape … everyone is in good spirits these days,” Brooks told the trustees.

Reading from a prepared statement, Trustee President Mark Sutton said, “All township officials are hard at work to provide responsible and effective leadership. To the rest of the department, keep up the good work; the community is counting on you. Developing a new fire house site to meet our growing needs remains a priority.”

Sutton added that the Bultman investigation is ongoing and said that “other aspects of the investigation beyond Bultman’s involvement remain under review.”

Schumann has worked with the fire department for 11 years and had just been appointed to captain this year. He will be paid $28.50 per hour as the assistant chief. Gula has been with the department for more than five years and was serving as the training lieutenant. He will be paid $25.25 per hour.

“I’m very excited … the higher up you get in the fire department, the more it becomes about the guys who work for you, and less about yourself,” Gula said.

Township trustees are in the midst of interviewing candidates for the permanent replacement chief; one round of interviews took place Monday and the second will take place today. Schumann is 0ne of the 11 candidates.