Eufaula didn’t have to look far for its first full-time fire chief.

Checotah Fire Chief Greg Carmack has been offered the job, replacing volunteer Fire Chief Chad French.

The decision to hire someone full time for the position came about earlier this year, when an interim city manager determined there was enough money in the budget.

Mayor James Hickman supported the move, noting that as the city continues to grow it needs someone with more training and experience.

Carmack has 24 years of fire service experience, the last nine years as full-time fire chief for Checotah. He was hired May 9, 2016.

Prior to that he was volunteer fire chief and before that a volunteer firefighter.

During his tenure with the Checotah Fire Department, he spent 17 years as a full-time firefighter with the City of Okmulgee, serving the past eight years as a Company Officer.

In addition to his field service, Chief Carmack has helped prepare the next generation of firefighters as an instructor with OSU Fire Service Training, providing training across Oklahoma.

“Public safety is a top priority for the City of Eufaula and bringing on a leader like Chief Carmack is an investment in the safety and wellbeing of our community,” said Mayor Hickman. “We look forward to working together to continue keeping our residents safe.”

Chief Carmack’s combined experience in volunteer and fulltime fire service, leadership, and firefighter training makes him uniquely qualified to guide the Eufaula Fire Department during this important time of growth and service to our residents, said City Manager Jacob Foos.

“The City of Eufaula is committed to accountability, community, and excellence in everything we do,” said Foos. “Chief Carmack’s experience and dedication align with these core values, and we are confident he will be an excellent leader for our Fire Department and the community.”

Chief Carmack will begin his service with the City of Eufaula on Monday, July 21.

The City will host a community meet-andgreet to welcome Chief Carmack, with a date to be announced in the coming weeks.

An advertisement for a full-time chief stated the basic wage would be $50,000, with a total package worth $74,147.25.

Prior to becoming a firefighter, Carmack was living in Edmond, where he graduated from high school, when he met his wife, Misty, who is from Checotah.

He and his wife moved to Checotah, where they have raised three daughters.

Carmack was introduced to firefighting by his father-in-law, Ike Webster, a retired Checotah volunteer firefighter.

Getting a paid fire chief and staff will mean a “big change” for the city because its citizens will be safer, Carmack said.

“It’s not safe when two or three firefighters are working and it should be five or six. This is for the future growth of our community.”