Mike Eisner has been appointed chief of the Bellevue Fire Department, City Manager Steve Sarkozy announced Tuesday.

A 35-year veteran of the department, Eisner has served as interim chief since last fall when then-Chief Mario Trevino retired due to medical disability.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone with Chief Eisner’s leadership skills and experience able to step in and assume the department’s helm,” Sarkozy said. “Chief Eisner is widely respected by his peers as one of the finest fire professionals in the nation.”

As chief, Eisner will oversee 244 personnel who provide basic fire protection services for Bellevue and six surrounding communities. The department also provides Medic One, or advanced life-support medical services, for approximately 300 square miles.

Eisner has spent the last two decades in the department in senior management positions. He has served in most of the department’s divisions, and been commander of both the Training Division and Bureau of Operations. Prior to becoming interim chief, Eisner was commander of the Bureau of Support Services.

Eisner is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer program through the National Fire Academy. He played a major role in the department’s successful 2003 and 2008 efforts for re-accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

Accreditation signifies the department adheres to the highest professional training and other standards.