Gadsden — Vance Brown was introduced and recognized as Gadsden’s new fire chief during the council meeting. Mayor Craig Ford thanked interim leadership and the civil service board for appointing an internal candidate from the department.

Chief Brown told the council he was humbled and did not take the position lightly: "I do not take this position lightly," he said, and pledged to provide leadership and advance a vision for the department. Mayor Ford and council members offered congratulations and acknowledged family members who attended the ceremony.

Mayor Ford and Council members noted the civil service board’s role in vetting candidates and said the city will soon post a deputy chief position. The event included recitation of the oath (with a historic bible used for ceremonies) and was followed by routine agenda business.

No formal council vote to confirm was recorded in the transcript; the mayor described the appointment and the civil service board’s role in selecting the candidate.