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Danville swears in new fire chief and approves fire‑department reclassifications
Summary
Danville City Commission swore in a newly appointed fire chief and, after executive session, approved a set of reclassifications in the fire department and other staff promotions. Commissioners acknowledged a required recusal during a personnel discussion and voted to move forward with the appointments.
The Danville City Commission on Dec. 8 administered the oath of office to the city’s newly appointed fire chief and approved several staff reclassifications affecting the fire department and other departments.
During the public portion of the meeting the mayor asked the city clerk to administer the oath to the incoming chief. The newly sworn chief told the commission that he was “truly honored and excited to stand here,” thanked firefighters past and present and said his priorities will be strengthening training, readiness and support for first responders.
Later in the meeting the commission went into a brief executive session to discuss personnel and property acquisition pursuant to state law. After returning to open session, commissioners approved the reclassification of Donald Carpenter to Fire Marshal and of Matthew Groves to Deputy Fire Chief. The commission also approved reclassifications of Scott Dow to Wastewater Collection Superintendent and Jessica Cheatham to Engineering Executive Assistant. Each motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
City Attorney (speaker who presented the motion) noted on the record that Commissioner Peake stepped out of the chamber during the personnel discussion because her son is a member of the fire department; the attorney said she did not participate in the executive-session conversation and was welcomed back after the votes were completed.
The swearing-in and personnel actions conclude the city’s immediate staffing changes in public safety and utilities; the newly sworn chief and newly reclassified staff were congratulated from the dais.
