Mission Deputy Fire Chief Douglas Williams will be leading the department on an interim basis.
The Mission city council unanimously confirmed Williams’ appointment as the interim fire chief during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Following the council’s vote, Williams thanked them and city staff for their support.
“All the deputy chiefs, we sat down when everything was transpiring and unanimously amongst ourselves said, ‘Whoever becomes interim, everybody is there to support and help,’” Williams said. “We’re going to keep the ship upright and on track and moving forward until a more permanent solution and chief can be hired.”
His ascension to the head of the department follows the retirement of Chief Gilbert Sanchez which is effective at the end of the year.
Sanchez leaves the city after nearly 30 years with the department, starting out as a volunteer with the department in 1992. He later served as fire marshal before being named interim chief and then permanent chief in April 2017.
“I want to thank you all for the support these past six years as fire chief,” Sanchez said. “It’s been a challenge but a good opportunity for myself — development as a leader for a department.”
He also expressed support for Williams as the interim chief, noting the two had started their careers in the department around the same time.
“I support my staff in this transition,” Sanchez said. “Deputy Chief Williams, we pretty much started at the same time, the same academy so we’ve been together quite a bit.”
Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza and each of the council members thanked Sanchez for his years of service and congratulated him on his retirement.
“I do feel that great things are in your future,” Councilwoman Jessica Ortega said.
“Everyone always has an opinion of leaderships and leadership styles, and the quality that you brought to the department may have not been everybody’s favorite, but all of us lead in different ways,” Ortega said. “I respect you as a leader and as taking the helm of the fire department for the last six years and I wish you well.”
Williams’ appointment to interim chief will go into effect Jan. 1.
