The Wright City Fire Protection District has reached a severance package totaling $37,782.42 with former Wright City Fire Chief Brian Nickerson. The settlement was approved last week, more than six weeks since Nickerson's employment was terminated. The fire board voted at a closed session last Thursday, Oct. 8, to accept the terms of the package. According to the settlement provided by Fire Board President Keith Thompson, the district agreed to pay $29,000 for six months' salary, $973.22 for two months of Cobra insurance, and $7,809.20 for accrued sick and vacation pay. In a prepared statement, Thompson considered the severance package to be "fair and equitable" for both parties. "It really comes down to where the district is ready to move forward," Thompson later told The Record. "We have closure. We are laying the groundwork for a better future for the district." Nickerson was paid $58,000 annually, he said. He declined to comment about the severance package. Nickerson is now employed with the Missouri Emergency Response Commission as a hazmat planner for Northeast Missouri and the CodeRed EMS Software Company. Nickerson was placed on paid administrative leave Aug. 10 and his termination was effective Aug. 24. The board voted 3-2 on that date to let Nickerson go. Nickerson said he never received a reason for his dismissal. Board members Rudy Jovanovic, Dan West and Thompson voted to fire Nickerson. Randy Lewis and Larry Zuhone opposed the measure. Members declined to discuss specifics for the firing other than to say a "change in management" was needed. Supporters of Nickerson said the personnel matter wasn't handled properly and didn't follow district policy. Nickerson was fire chief at Wright City since November 2004. He previously was employed as a deputy chief in Washington state. He has been a paid firefighter for 10 years. Nickerson grew up in Washington, Mo. When the decision was made to oust Nickerson, Assistant Chief Ron MacKnight was promoted to acting chief on Aug. 13. When asked if MacKnight was a candidate to have the interim tag removed, Thompson responded "He has the opportunity just like everyone else to fill out an application." MacKnight has been with the department since December 2007. Thompson acknowledged the fire district is moving forward to hire a permanent fire chief. He said the board agreed to a job description and has begun advertising the position in several publications. The search will begin statewide and Thompson anticipates having a hire completed by the start of the year. "We don't want to make a decision quickly," Thompson said.