Newly appointed Chattanooga Fire Chief Philip Hyman, and his wife, Lisa, smile as Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke asks the new chief if he could get the passing fire company engines to “stand down” Thursday morning during the swearing in ceremony. The Honorable Russell Bean administered the oath inside the Walker Theatre at Memorial Auditorium.Chattanooga’s next fire chief, Philip Hyman, was officially sworn into the job Thursday morning before family, friends and his fellow firefighters.
“I’m not used to all this fanfare,” he said from the stage of the Walker Theatre at Memorial Auditorium after taking the oath. “It’s truly humbling to be selected to lead this department, and I’m honored.”
Hyman brings 22 years of firefighting experience to the job and has been the department’s training chief since 2013. He has held several leadership positions since 2001, including lieutenant, captain and battalion chief. He is replacing Chris Adams, who retired at the end of September.
“I truly believe service to others is why we’re all here,” he told the firefighters at the ceremony. “I firmly believe it’s the best job in public safety and one of the best ways to give back to our community.”
The Times Free Press previously reported Hyman was one of three members of the Chattanooga Fire Department to make the short list of chief contenders, including Administrative Deputy Chief Seth Miller and Battalion Chief Carlos Hampton.