On Friday, Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced that he would be appointing Thomas Muñoz, the acting director of the Office of Emergency Management, as the 37th Chief of the Houston Fire Department.
Outgoing Fire Chief Sam Peña found out about the appointment in the news on Friday morning along with the rest of the public. “I have not had a conversation with the Mayor about this,” Peña said in a text message.
In a statement, Mayor Whitmire said:
Chief Muñoz is a strong leader dedicated to preparing and protecting Houstonians for emergencies. I believe he is the best emergency management coordinator in the country. He is experienced, knowledgeable, and widely respected. I have worked alongside him during the flooding in Kingwood, the derecho, Hurricane Beryl, and the winter freeze. I am confident that Chief Muñoz is the best person to lead the City’s fire department at this time.
Muñoz said, “Mayor Whitmire is a no-nonsense leader who has supported our firefighters since day one. I am committed to taking care of the residents of Houston, which must begin with taking care of the men and women of the Houston Fire Department. The work we do today will have a lasting impact for years to come, and I know that with this administration, we can improve the safety of all residents and future generations.”
As per the city charter, the fire chief is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council.
