Charleston mayor names interim fire chief - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg named the man he has appointed as interim fire chief Friday.

Deputy Chief John Tippett will serve as interim chief of the Charleston Fire Department effective April 7, Tecklenburg said.

“I am certain that Chief Tippet has the experience and leadership skills required to successfully lead the Charleston Fire Department," Tecklenburg said, citing Tippett's service as deputy chief of operations for the department over the last eight years.

Prior to that, Tippett began his career in the fire service in Montgomery County, Maryland, where he rose through the ranks from firefighter to battalion chief over the course of 35 years, according to a statement from the mayor's office.

Tippett has extensive leadership experience in both fire safety and operations and served as project manager for the International Association of Fire Chiefs for eleven years, focusing primarily on firefighter health and safety issues, Tecklenburg said.

Tippett is certified as a Chief Fire Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Health and Safety Officer by the Fire Department Safety Officers Association, Instructor II by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress and National Registry Emergency Medical Technician-Basic. He finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science and earned his Master’s Degree in Emergency Services Management while maintaining his responsibilities as operations chief, Tecklenburg said.

Tippett will replace current Charleston Fire Department Chief Karen Brack, who submitted her resignation on March 17.

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