TERRELL, Texas — Terrell Fire Department Chief James “Jim” Harper announced his retirement this week after more than 40 years in the fire service.
TERRELL, Texas — Terrell Fire Department Chief James “Jim” Harper announced his retirement this week after more than 40 years in the fire service.
Harper’s retirement will be effective September 30, 2017, at which point Terrell Fire Department Captain and Fire Marshal Tom Cooper will serve as interim fire chief.
Harper volunteered with the Terrell Volunteer Fire Department for approximately 25 years where he retired as the assistant chief, according to City of Terrell press release. He was employed by the Plano Fire Department before returning to Terrell to serve as fire chief in 2002.
"During Chief Harper’s tenure with the City of Terrell, both classification ranks and staff have increased," stated the release. "Many of the current staff are paramedics, with all staff certified as emergency medical technicians and first responders to compliment the contracted partnership with CareFlite (emergency medical services)."
Terrell Fire Department Captain Lane Hardgrave will oversee daily administrative responsibilities.
“I am fully confident in the city’s succession plan structure to ask Tom Cooper and Lane Hardgrave to step up,” stated Terrell City Manager Terry Edwards. “The citizens of Terrell will continue to experience the highest level of professionalism.”
An executive search for a permanent fire chief replacement will be held in 2018.
