Charleston's Mayor has named name John Tippett Jr. the interim fire chief after Chief Karen Brack announced her resignation.
Tippett, who served as deputy chief since 2009, will begin the interim role April 7.
“I am certain that Chief Tippett has the experience and leadership skills required to successfully lead the Charleston Fire Department," said Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg.
Before joining the Charleston Fire Department, the 40-year veteran was a battalion chief with the Montgomery County, MD, Fire Department.
Tippett, who serves on the Firehouse Editorial Advisory Board, holds a master's degree in emergency services management and several national certifications. He served with the International Association of Fire Chiefs for 11 years where he spearheaded efforts with the National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System.
Brack became Charleston's first female fire chief in 2012 and resigned for personal reasons.
"More than a hundred municipalities around the country are currently using this model to make their cities and their citizens safer," Tecklenberg told abcnews4.com. "That's why I'm asking council to study this change and consider adopting it months ahead."
