Fire Chief Carlos Perez announced today that he will retire from the Knoxville Fire Department.
A search for a new fire chief will begin immediately, according to Mayor Bill Haslam.
Perez will remain at the Fire Department until the Mayor selects his replacement. "I'd like to thank Chief Perez for his service to the Knoxville Fire Department and his many efforts to move the fire department forward," said Mayor Haslam. "He has decided it's time for him to step back and enjoy the next phase of his life.""It has been an honor to lead the men and women of the Knoxville Fire Department," said Chief Perez. "It is a great department. I am looking forward to the new opportunities retirement brings." Perez joined the Knoxville Fire Department in December 2004. He is retired from the Miami-Dade Fire Department. Perez also served as chief of the DeKalb County Fire Rescue and deputy director of the Cherokee County Fire-Emergency Management Agency. He's also worked as a consultant for Texas A & M.