After conducting a nationwide search, a veteran of the Little Rock Fire Department will serve as its next Chief. City Manager Bruce T. Moore today announced his selection of Gregory L. Summers as Chief of the Little Rock Fire Department.

Chief Summers has been serving as Interim Fire Chief of the Department since the beginning of the year. Previous to that assignment, he has been an Assistant Chief for the LRFD.

"In searching for a Fire Chief, I was looking for someone who has a commitment to fire safety, to fire service education and community involvement, and to work with the citizens of Little Rock. Chief Summers has a proven record of excelling in all three of these areas," said Moore.

After joining the Fire Department in 1983, Chief Summers rose through the ranks. Prior to being promoted to Assistant Chief, he was a Battalion Chief. In that capacity, he shared responsibility for overseeing the LRFD's projects in the 2004 Capital Bond Program which included upgrades to every fire station, improved communication equipment, and construction of the new Fire Training Academy.

"Working with Chief Summers on the Bond program," said Moore. "I saw first hand his commitment to his fellow firefighters as well as the citizens of Little Rock. I also saw his administrative abilities as he worked to bring in over 25 projects on time and under budget."

Chief Summers succeeds Rhoda Mae Kerr who resigned to become the Austin (TX) Fire Chief.

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