A 20-year veteran of Thomasville Fire/Rescue (TFR) was named fire chief Wednesday.
Tim Connell was named chief after serving as interim fire chief since Jan. 1.
Connell said he is honored to have been chosen and proud to be part of TFR.
The new 54-year-old chief said his first priority will be to reach out to the community to learn residents' expectations of TFR.
"That way we can meet them," Connell said. "We're starting to understand the science of fire, so we'll be able to attack it in an effective manner."
Connell wants input from younger TRF staff members for their visions and ideas.
"The department appreciates vision, and they are needed," the new chief said.
City Manager Alan Carson said the process to find TFR’s new fire chief began several months ago and involved candidates being reviewed and interviewed by a board of former fire chiefs to help identify top candidates.