Cooke County names Keith King as next fire marshal and emergency management coordinator; August start approved

The Cooke County Commissioners Court approved the appointment of Keith King as the county's incoming emergency management coordinator and fire marshal and set his start date for Aug. 1. The court also approved a budget amendment to cover the salary for the interim period.

County officials said King was selected after a committee-led hiring process and that he had begun informal training with current staff. In introducing King, a county official summarized his naval service, emergency-response experience and academic credentials, and said the choice reflected a combination of experience and willingness to relocate.

King, introduced to the court, said: "I am excited to be here and can't wait to get started." Court members thanked the candidate and noted several strong applicants had been considered.

The court discussed start-date timing in light of the outgoing coordinator's planned vacation and retirement dates, and approved beginning King on Aug. 1. Commissioners also approved a budget amendment moving funds from contingency to the appropriate salary line to cover the hire; the court recorded the motion and a unanimous vote in favor.

County staff said the move is intended to provide overlap for training before the outgoing coordinator's final departure; the court did not record further action beyond approving the start date and budget amendment during the meeting.