Local firefighter hired as Fort Scott city codes director

Fort Scott City Manager Richard Nienstedt announced on Tuesday that long-time Fort Scott firefighter Amanda Profitt has been hired as the city's new codes director.

Profitt will start in her new position on Sept. 4.

Profitt has been a Fort Scott Fire Department firefighter since 2001. She currently is working on earning a bachelor's degree in business administration in December to go along with an associate degree in fire science. She also has attended the National Fire Academy and fire training at the University of Kansas.

She has experience in codes, having assisted in that department after the previous codes director, Brent Crays, and his part-time assistant, Jannah Farrington, both resigned last spring. Profitt and the fire department helped interim codes director Frank Shelton, who Nienstedt personally thanked for serving during the transition period.

An interview committee recommended Profitt for the position. The committee is composed of Fort Scott Planning Chairwoman Crystal Mason, former mayor and city commissioner Gary Billionis, Public Safety Director Jeff Davis, and Human Resources Director Bob Johnson.

"They (the board) interviewed several people," Nienstedt said, " and they came to the conclusion that Amanda was the best candidate."

Nienstedt said in a statement that Profitt brings knowledge and experience with codes (during the transition period) to the job, and that he's "confident in the months and years ahead she will make a difference in the codes area of the city."