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Fire chief not yet selected
Published Wednesday, October 1, 2008
NATCHEZ — Since April 26, the Natchez Fire Department has operated without a permanent chief. However, one should be selected soon.
Alderman James “Ricky” Gray said that the board of aldermen should not make a decision until the Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton is back on his feet. Middleton was hospitalized after falling through a window over the weekend.
“We’ve interviewed the applicants already, but we haven’t had a chance to sit down as a mayor and a board to discuss what we came out of the interviews with,” Gray said. “That was our next move — to sit down and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of all the candidates.
“Each individual might have somebody in mind, but as a mayor and a board we haven’t had an opportunity to discuss it yet,” he said.
Gray expects the mayor and the board of alderman to have a decision by their October meeting.
Since former Natchez Fire Chief Paul Johnson retired, Oliver Stewart has filled his shoes as interim fire chief. It is a situation that has been very good, Battalion Chief Robert Eidt said.
“Oliver’s a good man,” Battalion Chief Robert Eidt said. “The aura around the four station houses (has been great).”
Stewart agreed that things have gone smoothly during his time in charge.
“Right now everything’s good,” he said. “So far I haven’t had any major problems.”
Comments
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 4:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's only been 5 and 1/2 months whats the hurry...
Posted by ucantfixstupid (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To All Alderman And Mayor. What are the Prerequisites, such as certification, education and expertise to become a Fire Chief? Hope Natchez will get a true Chief and not the other.
Posted by Christian (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have known Oliver for many years, and I can tell you he is a very fair person. We were members of the same church until I moved away. I think he would make a great fire chief.
Posted by JessiMac (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchez needs a fire chief? And they HAVE a batallion chief??? I didn't think Natchez had enough firemen to make up a batallion. How many people in each batallion, 2?
Posted by Nativeson (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oliver is a great candidate. Stan Owens (EMA DIrector) is another. Each shift that works is a batallion. There are 3 shifts that work 24 hour shifts. The requirements for a fire chief are established by the elected officials of the jurisdiction. There are academic degrees and certifications that can be required by the city. With the historic stuctures of the city providing the predominant industry, fire protection in Natchez is more crucial now than ever.
Posted by traceb (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a question.What is the citie's "actual" critera for Fire Chief? And is it experience and what you know that counts or is it who you know that does the trick?
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