Overview
- Mayor Jacob Frey announced his pick of Reginald Freeman as the city’s next fire chief, sending the nomination to the City Council for approval.
- Freeman holds a doctorate in emergency and protective services and has led fire organizations in Oakland and Hartford plus emergency roles with the U.S. Department of Defense in Iraq and in Saudi Arabia.
- Freeman and the mayor emphasized priorities of firefighter safety, mentoring and department modernization as central goals if he is confirmed.
- Melanie Rucker has led the department on an interim basis since December after Bryan Tyner’s retirement, and the city said a nationwide search was needed because the department supports the state’s special operations response.
- Council consideration could be contested given recent tense mayor–council personnel battles, and the outcome will shape the department’s future on workforce development, equipment and community trust.