TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — Mayor Todd Jordan has announced his choice for Tupelo’s next fire chief.
Jordan named Kelly Elliott, a fire chief at the 172nd Airlift Wing in Thompson Field in Jackson, last week to lead the Tupelo Fire Department, The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.
Elliott has more than 30 years of fire service experience, including three years with the Tupelo Fire Department. He also previously worked with the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority.
In a statement, Jordan said Elliott's extensive resume includes emergency management and training at the highest levels.
“He will provide our citizens an enormous amount of peace in any crisis event,” Jordan said. "We are fortunate to have a person with his credentials as one of our city leaders.”
Elliott said when he left the department in the late 1990s, he hoped to prepare himself for the chief position in Tupelo. Over two decades later, he got his wish.
In addition to being a fire chief, Elliott is also a chief master sergeant and a member of the Mississippi Air National Guard. He has an associate’s degree in fire science technology from Pikes Peak Community College and earned a Bachelor’s degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University.
The Tupelo City Council must confirm Elliott's hiring before he can officially take the post. The council will next meet on March 15.
If approved, Elliott will take over for Interim Chief Jimmy Avery, who took over in June when former Chief Thomas Walker retired.
“I think we hit a homerun for the city of Tupelo,” Jordan told the Daily Journal. “I think we are lucky to have him on the team.”
For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
