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BONITA SPRINGS — Scott Vanderbrook was unanimously chosen as the Estero Fire Rescue chief Wednesday night.

Vanderbrook, who has served as interim chief since May, will enter into contract negotiations, but the fire commissioners made his appointment effective immediately.

The move came after commissioners unanimously approved a job description for the fire chief’s position during Wednesday’s regular meeting.

Vanderbrook, who has served 10 years with the agency and has 23 years of fire service experience in Florida and New York, replaces Jeff Lindsey, who resigned in May to take a teaching position at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Once the vote was taken to appoint Vanderbrook as chief, about 20 people in the audience, many of whom are Estero Fire Rescue employees, along with the commissioners, gave the new chief a standing ovation.

“I want to thank everyone for their support,” the new chief said.

Before the vote was taken, Commission Chairman Dick Schweers asked fellow commissioners to give input in how they felt Vanderbrook has performed as interim chief.

“I recommend we bring him on as permanent chief and get this over with,” Commissioner Bob Morris said after praising Vanderbrook for the job he has done so far.

Commissioner Gayle Sassano echoed Morris’ statement.

“He has done an admirable job and I couldn’t be prouder if he was my own son,” she said.

Commissioner Sam Levy agreed Vanderbrook has done a fine job, but still wanted to post an advertisement for the job for 30 days.

“I think for the sake of Chief Vanderbrook … competition is great,” Levy said, even though in the end, and without discussion, voted to immediately hire the chief.

Commissioner Barbara Akins said she has “been particularly pleased with how he has met head-on a variety of issues. Scott is well-respected. I think his heart is really here.”

At that point, she asked Vanderbrook if he wanted to step away from the meeting for a few moments.

“It’s very difficult to sit and have people talk about you,” she said. Vanderbrook remained.

“I have not made a request to Scott that has not been addressed,” she added.

Schweers said he has heard nothing but good things from the community and others within the fire service about Vanderbrook.

“You’ve exceeded my expectations,” Schweers told Vanderbrook. “I’ve never seen the atmosphere, attitude .. what it is today.”

The audience apparently agreed because they broke into applause.

After the meeting, several firefighters said they were very pleased in having Vanderbrook as their new chief and that the commissioners decided to hire from within.

A retired fire chief from Iona-McGregor Fire District in South Fort Myers who attended the meeting to see what direction the fire commissioners planned on taking to find a new chief, said he has known Vanderbrook for several years.

“They’ve really got a good guy,” Steve Juntikka said. “He’s one of those guys who came up through the ranks. I wish him all the best.”

After the meeting, Vanderbrook said Wednesday’s appointment wasn’t a shock, but he wasn’t necessarily expecting it either.

“I made it clear in May … I wanted the job,” he said. “I was semi-shocked.”

He said nothing will change within the department, something a few firefighters agreed with, saying when things are going good, why should change happen.

Vanderbrook’s contract will be negotiated and brought back before the commission, probably in October.

E-mail Valli Finney at vallimfinney@yahoo.com