The Savannah fire chief is Derik Minard, appointed by City Manager Jay Melder in late 2025 after a national search. He leads roughly 370 firefighters across 16 stations and is responsible for the department’s budget, emergency response standards, fire code enforcement, and personnel. This is Minard’s second time in the role; he previously led Savannah Fire before serving as chief in Westminster, Colorado, and Gresham, Oregon.1Savannah, GA. City of Savannah Announces Return of Derik Minard as Fire Chief
Who Derik Minard Is
Minard brings more than 35 years in the fire service. Before becoming a chief officer, he spent 28 years working through operational and leadership roles including paramedic-firefighter, fire prevention specialist, captain, battalion chief, EMS chief, and deputy chief of operations.1Savannah, GA. City of Savannah Announces Return of Derik Minard as Fire Chief
His academic record includes an associate degree in fire science, a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration, and a master’s degree in leadership with an emphasis in disaster preparedness. He graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program and is a U.S. Army veteran.1Savannah, GA. City of Savannah Announces Return of Derik Minard as Fire Chief
Minard’s appointment was announced on November 26, 2025. The seat had been held on an interim basis by Deputy Chief William Handy, a 29-year department veteran, after former chief Elzie Kitchen resigned on September 19, 2025. Melder said Kitchen stepped down “due to personal matters.”2Savannah, GA. Deputy Chief William Handy Named Interim Savannah Fire Chief
How the Chief Gets the Job
The fire chief is hired by the City Manager, not the City Council. Section 3-109 of the Savannah city charter gives the City Manager authority to appoint, remove, and set compensation for all department heads, who serve at the manager’s pleasure. No council vote is required to fill or vacate the position.3enCodePlus. Code of Ordinances Savannah, Georgia – Section 3-109 Authority Relative to Officers and Employees
Recent hiring has favored candidates with advanced degrees and chief-level experience at departments of similar size. Minard fit that pattern: fire science and public safety degrees, a master’s, and prior tenure running multiple departments.1Savannah, GA. City of Savannah Announces Return of Derik Minard as Fire Chief
What the Chief Does Day to Day
The chief runs a large operating budget. A 2017 city assessment projected the cost of operating Savannah Fire would grow from $32 million to $49 million over a decade, and current spending likely falls in that range given continued expansion.4City of Savannah. Fire Fee Assessment
The chief also sets how the department responds. Savannah Fire operates under a four-minute response-time benchmark, meaning a unit should be on scene within four minutes of dispatch. Policies for emergency response, public interaction, and crew readiness all flow from the chief’s office, as does the designation of a department representative to the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council, which sets baseline certification and continuing-training rules for the state’s firefighters.5Georgia Secretary of State. Subject 205-1-3 Minimum Requirements for Firefighters Operating in the State of Georgia
Fire Code Enforcement
Fire safety enforcement is one of the chief’s core duties. Georgia has adopted the International Fire Code, 2024 Edition, as part of its state minimum construction codes, and Savannah Fire applies those standards locally through inspections, permitting, and plan reviews.6Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Current State Minimum Codes for Construction
The state’s minimum fire safety standards, issued by the Safety Fire Commissioner under O.C.G.A. ยง 25-2-4, apply statewide without separate municipal adoption. Savannah can go stricter but cannot drop below the state floor. The chief’s office oversees permits for hazardous materials storage, large public gatherings, and other activities that create elevated fire risk.7Georgia Secretary of State. Rules and Regulations for the State Minimum Fire Safety Standards
How the Department Is Organized
Savannah Fire uses a paramilitary chain of command. Assistant chiefs oversee major divisions such as operations and administration. Battalion chiefs manage specific shifts and geographic zones. During active emergencies, this structure determines who holds tactical authority on the fireground.
Specialized units handle distinct functions under the chief. The suppression division runs active firefighting and rescue. The Fire Marshal’s Office conducts inspections and investigates fire causes. A training division keeps the department’s personnel current on certifications and rescue techniques required under state rules.5Georgia Secretary of State. Subject 205-1-3 Minimum Requirements for Firefighters Operating in the State of Georgia
Growth and the New Hampstead Station
Savannah Fire is expanding. The department currently operates 16 stations with 369 fire personnel, and the FY2026 city budget funds 32 new hires for a new station in New Hampstead. Those positions include six fire engineers, six fire captains, and 18 advanced firefighters, along with a new engine and ladder truck assigned to the Highgate Boulevard facility. The station was built to close a response-time gap in that growing part of the city.
Managing that growth is a significant part of the chief’s job. As Savannah’s footprint expands, so does the area the department must cover within its four-minute window, and decisions about where to place stations and how to staff them affect both public safety and the city’s insurance costs.