Fort Worth Fire Chief Rudy Jackson Jr. tells senior staff he's ready to move on
After more than 10 years as Fort Worth's fire chief, Rudolph "Rudy" Jackson Jr. has announced his retirement effective in March.
"He said he has had a long career here as a firefighter and he's moving on to retired life," said Kyle Falkner, Fire Department spokesman.
Jackson, who was named chief in March 2007, has been with the department for more than 35 years. Jackson filled a variety of positions with the department before his appointment as interim fire chief in September 2006 after the sudden death of then Fire Chief L. Charles Gaines. Jackson was deputy fire chief during the Gaines administration and was chosen for the top job among 50 candidates after a nationwide search.
"We expect there will be an official announcement Tuesday during a City Council work session with the chief available to speak," said Valerie Washington, assistant city manager. "Jackson is a son of Fort Worth who has lived here all his life and who has done really good things for our city."
Jackson became a Fort Worth firefighter in 1982 after graduating from Everman High School, and swiftly rose to the top, according to his city biography.
Jackson became an engineer/driver in 1988, a lieutenant in 1991, a captain in 1994 and a battalion chief in 1997. In 2000, Jackson became the department’s chief training officer, responsible for the day-to-day operation of the educational services division and training section.
Jackson was assigned to fire prevention in 2005 as the Fort Worth fire marshal. There he oversaw the commercial inspection program, and the planning, design and inspection review for various fire safety aspects of new and existing construction.
In 2006, Gaines appointed Jackson deputy chief and assigned him to head the department’s educational and support services division where he was responsible for the training, supply, vehicle services and the self-contained breathing apparatus sections.
Mitch Mitchell, 817-390-7752, @mitchmitchel3
This story was originally published November 30, 2017 at 6:11 PM with the headline "Fort Worth Fire Chief Rudy Jackson Jr. tells senior staff he's ready to move on."