HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island Assistant Fire Chief Quince Mento has been named the new Civil Defense administrator for the county.

The civil defense position has been vacant since former administrator Troy Kindred resigned in November.

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim said Mento brings 25 years of experience as a first responder to his new job along with extensive management experience.

"Hawai'i County is fortunate to have someone with Quince's skills and background to take on the responsibility as civil defense administrator," Mayor Kim said in the announcement. "He has past experience working in the Civil Defense Emergency Operations Center while with the Fire Department, which will be an asset to him in his new position."

Mento was born and raised on the Big Island, and began his career as a firefighter in Honolulu after graduating from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He moved back to the Big Island in 1985 and joined the county fire department. He has worked as a fire rescue specialist, fire equipment operator and fire captain before his appointment as assistant fire chief.