Paul Polep was sworn in as the permanent chief of Evanston Fire Department during Monday’s City Council meeting, concluding his three-month tenure as interim chief. Polep was selected as interim chief in January, days before former Fire Chief Brian Scott retired. City Manager Erika Storlie announced Polep’s permanent appointment as chief on April 8 — along with the promotions of Kelley Gandurski to deputy city manager and Nicholas Cummings to corporation counsel. “(Gandurski), (Cummings) and Chief Polep are experienced, proven leaders who share a steadfast commitment to public service,” Storlie wrote in the announcement. “Their leadership and expertise have been invaluable to our City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be just as critical as we begin to shift focus to our community’s recovery.”