West Penn Fire Company Chief Leroy Breiner has stepped down from the office he's held for 11 years. In his place, township supervisors have named Breiner's assistant chief, Dennis Fritzinger Jr.

Supervisors honored Breiner's dedication and service on Monday by presenting him with a handsome wooden plaque, prompting the roomful of residents and fire company members to break into applause.Breiner, who became chief in 1999, in his typically quiet fashion, didn't say much as supervisors praised his years of hard work. Fritzinger, known as "Junior," also took a low-key approach.The tightly-knit band of volunteer firefighters protects the biggest township in the county West Penn stretches over 58 square miles.Fritzinger was an assistant chief. Assistant chiefs are now Kevin Mengel and Clint Schock. Rounding out the officers roster are Captain Rick Mertz; Captain Ed Boerner; Lieutenant Dennis Fritzinger Sr.; Lieutenant Marty Baddick; Lieutenant Melissa Johnson and Lieutenant Scott Soley.The fire company, housed on Municipal Road between the township building and the police station, maintains an engine, a rescue truck, a brush truck, a tanker and a pumper/tanker.