A firefighter who is a veteran of the Merced City Fire Department has been named as the chief, officials said Monday.
Interim chief since November, Billy Alcorn started as a firefighter in the Merced department in 2004. His first day as permanent chief is March 25.
Merced City Fire Chief Michael Wilkinson suddenly retired in November, according to officials from the city of Merced. Alcorn then stepped into the position, as he did when Wilkinson’s predecessor abruptly left.
“(Alcorn) knows the needs of the city and the needs of the department,” City Manager Steve Carrigan said in a news release. “The chief has a range of experience and education that makes him exceptionally suited for the job.”