Mayor Tecklenburg names Interim Fire Chief
March 24, 2017
CHARLESTON, SC – In a memo to Fire Department personnel, Charleston Mayor John J. Tecklenburg announced the appointment of Chief John Tippett as Interim Fire Chief, effective April 7, 2017. The text of the memo is below:
TO: All Fire Department Personnel
FROM: Mayor John J. Tecklenburg
DATE: March 24, 2017
RE: Appointment of Interim Fire Chief
“With Chief Karen Brack’s departure date now approximately two weeks away, I’m writing to let you to know that I’ve asked Deputy Chief John Tippett to serve as our city’s Interim Fire Chief, effective April 7, 2017. I look forward to working with City Council to name a permanent chief in the weeks ahead.
“I am certain that Chief Tippet has the experience and leadership skills required to successfully lead the Charleston Fire Department. As you know, he has served in the Charleston Fire Department as Deputy Chief of Operations for the last 8 years. Prior to that, Chief 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. He has extensive leadership experience in both fire safety and operations. He also served as project manager for the International Association of Fire Chiefs for eleven years, focusing primarily on firefighter health and safety issues. Chief 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.
“Finally, I would like to thank you once again for everything you do to ensure the safety of our citizens and city. We are all deeply grateful for your service each and every day. And, to the outstanding firefighters of Ladder 101, I look forward to seeing you at the ladder dedication this Sunday on Daniel Island.”
