The City of Checotah is proud to announce the hiring of Greg Carmack as the city’s first full-time Fire Chief, marking a historic step forward for the community’s public safety services.
Chief Carmack was selected for his proven leadership and deep dedication to the Checotah Fire Department and the citizens it serves. He first joined the Checotah Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) in 2001 as a volunteer fireman and went on to serve as its Chief from 2011 to 2025. While leading the CVFD, Chief Carmack was also employed as a full-time firefighter for the City of Okmulgee for the past 17 years, including the last 8 years as a company officer. In addition, he has served for several years as an instructor with OSU Fire Service Training.
A graduate of Edmond Memorial High School, Carmack is a long-time resident of Checotah, and he and his wife, Misty, have called the city their home for over 25 years, raising three daughters and welcoming five grandchildren. He is a former local business owner with deep ties to the community. During his tenure as Volunteer Fire Chief, he led numerous trainings that resulted in multiple certifications for Checotah’s firefighters.
As the first full-time Fire Chief, Chief Carmack will lead the department into a new era, beginning the process of potentially employing full-time firemen for the City of Checotah at some point in the future.
Mayor Daniel Tarkington expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating: “We are very excited to bring Greg back to the Checotah Fire Department. He has a proven record of leading the department, and with his appointment as the first full-time fire chief, we’re committed to giving him and the department the resources and support to continue advancing the department by empowering our exceptional group of volunteer firemen. This opportunity came about primarily due to some staffing changes within the city, and the city council and I felt those circumstances presented us with the perfect opportunity to strategically realign some positions.”
Chief Carmack will also serve as Checotah’s Emergency Manager, filling the role formerly held by Marcus Cunningham, who recently transitioned to the private sector.
Mayor Tarkington further noted that Chief Carmack will assist in overseeing the city’s ambulance service, Checotah EMS, on at least a short-term basis, with the potential for eventual integration of EMS with the Fire Department under the banner of “Checotah Fire and Rescue.” However, any such change would still be a few years away, if deemed feasible and endorsed by the city council.
“In the coming months, I’ll be working with Chief Carmack, our firemen and EMTs, and the city council to create a clearly defined long-term vision for the city’s emergency operations,” Mayor Tarkington said. “We believe this hiring decision demonstrates our commitment to developing that vision.”
In accepting the role, Chief Carmack expressed gratitude and excitement: “I want to begin by saying thank you to the City of Eufaula for giving me the opportunity to serve as Fire Chief, even if only for a short time. Eufaula is a great community with wonderful people and I wish them and their department nothing but the best going forward. I will welcome the opportunity to continue working with them to improve our county. This was just a unique opportunity, as Checotah is my hometown, and I’m thrilled to be back serving as the Fire Chief—this time in a full-time capacity— where I get to continue working with a truly great group of firemen who are devoted to selflessly serving their community. I look forward to beginning this new phase in my professional life, as well as being a part of a new era for the Checotah Fire Department.”
