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Pelham picks new fire chief, former fire chief demoted
Published Monday, March 23, 2009
PELHAM — The Pelham City Council on Monday appointed Danny Ray as the city’s new fire chief. Ray succeeds former fire chief Danny Endress, who was demoted to battalion chief.
A visibly emotional Endress congratulated Ray during the City Council’s regular meeting. Mayor Don Murphy and City Council members gave Endress a choice between retiring or returning to his former rank.
“I’m proud to have served eight months and a few days as chief of this city,” Endress said. “I will continue to be loyal to this city, and the citizens of this city come first.”
Endress will mark his 30th year at the Pelham Fire Department on April1. Murphy said Endress was under a one-year probationary period, which is customary for all new fire chiefs.
“Things weren’t working out like they should, and I felt compelled to make a move for the betterment of the fire department and the citizens of Pelham,” Murphy said. “We value (Endress’) service, and I think he’s a good employee.”
Ray, who began his career as a junior volunteer firefighter 1972, holds an associate’s degree from Shelton State Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Athens State University. Ray also holds 12 levels of certification from the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission.
Ray’s father, O.C. Ray, served as Pelham’s second fire chief. The audience gave the Rays a standing ovation after O.C. pinned the fire chief’s badge on his son.
“I’m real excited about the job,” Danny Ray told the council. “Thank you for your confidence.”
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Posted by siluriadude (anonymous) on March 26, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like the good ole boy network is still at work.
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