RINGGOLD, Ga. — Charles “Chuck” E. Nichols, 49, a former assistant fire chief with the Tactical Services Division of the Chattanooga Fire Department where he worked for 28 years, has been named Catoosa County’s fire chief.
County Manager Mike Helton made the announcement at his office here today.
He said Mr. Nichols comes from a fire department a Class 2 rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and has a strong training background, “so he knows what’s involved to improve our department.”
Catoosa County officials a year ago began working to consolidate fire services into a department largely depending on paid fire fighters during the day and volunteers at night. Consolidation talks included the county department and the Fort Oglethorpe and Post Volunteer departments.
Mr. Nichols said he will work to deliver the best quality emergency service possible using the county’s 28 full-time fire fighters and with the county’s ranks of more than 50 volunteers.
“Volunteers will play an important role in delivering the services in Catoosa County,” Mr. Nichols said.
The Catoosa County Commission on Tuesday approved a new fire services plan under which Catoosa Fire-Rescue will provide fire protection to all the county except inside the city of Fort Oglethorpe.
Catoosa Fire-Rescue has an ISO 5 rating.
Fort Oglethorpe Fire-Rescue, which has an ISO Class 3 rating, will serve the city.
Mr. Helton said he worked on the chief selection for three months before selecting Mr. Nichols, whose annual salary will be $64,000.
See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for complete coverage.
Or login with:
New Account