Published: April 10, 2008 01:04 am      

Houston fire official named new local chief

GREENVILLE — A Houston Fire Department official has been named as the new chief of the Greenville Fire Department.

Greenville City Manager Steven Alexander announced Wednesday he is recommending the appointment of Raul Reyes, Jr., as Greenville's next Fire Chief.

Appointments to the position of Fire Chief require confirmation by the City Council. The item is expected to be on the City Council agenda of April 22.

Reyes was chosen over almost three dozen applicants in the latest round of the search process. The position of Fire Chief has been open for a little more than a year.

In a press release issued Wednesday afternoon, Alexander said he was pleased to have someone of Reyes' caliber accept the position.

“Raul Reyes has an impressive record of experience in fire service and organizational management,” Alexander said. “He brings a vision and level of knowledge and professionalism to the Greenville Fire Department that will help lead our operations as we continue to meet the challenges of a growing community.”

Reyes began his career with the Houston Fire Department in 1977, as an Advanced Life Support Paramedic. He moved though the ranks serving as an Engineer from 1992 to 1994; Shift Captain from 1994 to 1995; Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Captain from 1995 to 2001; and Assistant Fire Chief from 2001 to 2004. Reyes currently serves as the Suppression and EMS Sector Supervisor.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Technology from the University of Houston and a Master of Art in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. Reyes has attended the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program and is also a graduate of the Realty Institute for Real Estate Management and Investments.

While in Houston, Reyes has been active in the community, serving as a member of several organizations including the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, United Way, American Red Cross, YMCA and the Houston and Texas Realtor's Associations. Reyes and his wife Margie have three grown children, Raul, Richard and Rachel.

“I am honored to have been offered the position of Fire Chief for the Greenville Fire Department,” Reyes said. “I have met many of the firefighters, and I can truly say I am impressed with their enthusiasm and professionalism. The City leaders are providing a tremendous support base, and working together, I see great things in the future for the department. I look forward to coming to Greenville to serve and become an active member of the community.”

Reyes is expected to begin work in Greenville on May 1.

The City of Greenville Human Resources Office had received at least 34 applications for the job of Fire Chief.

Doug Caison has served as Interim Greenville Fire Chief since former Fire Chief Kenny Ward resigned at the end of March of last year. Caison had served as the Deputy Fire Chief under Ward, with the understanding the hiring of a new permanent fire chief would be at Alexander’s discretion. Ward had been hired as Fire Chief in June 2004, when he was hired to replace Ralph Hendricks, who had stepped down in July 2003.

The fire department currently operates with 48 sworn firefighters, at four stations, with an administrative office and an annual operating budget of about $4.15 million.