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HomeNewsClarksville Mayor Joe Pitts announces Freddie Montgomery as choice for Fire Chief

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts announces Freddie Montgomery as choice for Fire Chief

Clarksville City Council to consider Hopkinsville Chief Freddie Montgomery

City of Clarksville - Clarksville, TNClarksville, TN – Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts has selected Hopkinsville Fire Chief Freddie Montgomery to lead Clarksville Fire Rescue after a nationwide search and consideration of a large field of candidates.

“Our search was broad and wide, and plenty of well-qualified candidates were interested in being Clarksville Fire Chief,” Mayor Pitts said Wednesday.

Hopkinsville Chief Freddie Montgomery is Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts choice for Fire Chief.
Hopkinsville Chief Freddie Montgomery is Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts choice for Fire Chief.

“But after extensive interviews and a rigorous evaluation process, I’m convinced that Freddie Montgomery is the right person to lead our firefighters and emergency responders into the future,” stated Mayor Pitts.

The Mayor’s recommendation to hire Montgomery will go before the Clarksville City Council for a vote at a special called meeting at 4:30pm. Thursday. If confirmed, he would begin the position on August 1st.

Montgomery, 46, was born and raised in Hopkinsville, KY. After serving in the U.S. Army’s 9th Infantry Regiment from 1990-93, he joined the Hopkinsville Fire Department in 1994 as a Firefighter-EMT. He steadily rose through the ranks and was named HFD’s first public information officer in 2000, Fire Captain in 2002, and Fire Battalion Chief in 2009. He became his hometown’s Fire Chief in 2014, and has had a steady tenure of achievement and innovation.

For example, in accomplishments listed in his application, Montgomery:

Transformed, with city support, a failing set of firefighting equipment into a dependable fleet with a predictable replacement plan.

Advanced the Hopkinsville Fire Department into a leader among departments in Kentucky, with high training and evaluation standards and a Training Educational Institute license.

Implemented a Work Performance Evaluation process to ensure every employee can physically perform job duties.

Improved the financial outlook of the Hopkinsville-Christian County EMS System from a $480,000 projected deficit in 2014 to a current $300,000 surplus, with no financial supplement from the city or county.

A search for a new Clarksville Fire Rescue executive began in January after Fire Chief Michael Roberts announced he would retire from the post July 31st after 20 years in the position

As the first department head search of his administration, Mayor Pitts put plenty of time and energy into the Fire Chief selection process. An updated job posting was prepared and posted March 1st. A nine-member search committee, which included citizens, a City Councilman, a former city firefighter and a retired state Deputy Fire Marshall was formed to evaluate applicants.

The committee identified top candidates for interviews, and a short list of four finalists was submitted to Mayor Pitts for evaluation and final interviews.

“As I’ve said throughout this process, we have much to be proud of in our City and at Clarksville Fire Rescue,” Mayor Pitts said. “And now, I’m confident that in Freddie Montgomery we have found the best possible person for this opportunity, and I’m pleased to recommend him for City Council approval.”

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