NATCHEZ — Aaron Wesley is no stranger to climbing ladders — whether it’s while saving someone from a burning building, or in his career.

Wesley joined the Natchez Fire Department in 1982, and over the course of 33 years, he’s climbed his way up from firefighter to chief.

“It took a lot of hard work,” said Wesley, who was named Natchez Fire Chief Tuesday. “I have no one to thank but God for this.”

A Natchez native, Wesley always knew he wanted to be a firefighter.

“You feel a sense of worth when you’re able to pull someone out of a burning house, or a trapped car,” he said. “That feeling, it’s really something you can’t explain.”

Throughout his years with the department, Wesley has held the ranks of firefighter, lieutenant, captain, fire marshal and battalion chief.

Ward Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, who acts as the liaison between the fire department and the board of aldermen, said it was Wesley’s vast experience and vision for the fire department that led the board to appoint him fire chief.

“We just felt like from his interview that he had the best plan of action for the fire department,” Arceneaux-Mathis said. “I think the fire department will get behind him and support him.”

Some of Wesley’s big goals as fire chief are to increase firefighter training and strengthen the relationship between the city fire department and volunteer units in the county.

Wesley also voiced interest in building two new fire stations — one in the U.S. 61 North and U.S. 84 area, and another near U.S. 61 South and Kingston Road.

Those stations, Wesley said, would employ full-time firefighters for increased fire protection.

“We also need to put together a rescue team for land and water purposes,” Wesley said. “It’s also necessary that we have cross training with each station, so that each fireman will become familiar with the district.”

Maintaining strong communication with the board of aldermen and county supervisors will be key in turning his goals into action, Wesley said.

“We have a great fire department with a great deal of knowledge,” he said. “And I think all these things can be achieved.”

When he’s not busy protecting the city, Wesley devotes much of his time to serving as associate pastor at Egypt Baptist Church.

His faith, he said, is what allowed him to achieve his dreams.

“I thank God for giving me the strength to hang in there all these years,” he said. “I have no one to thank but Him.”