Hattiesburg Fire Chief Paul Presley to retire

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Hattiesburg residents will be saying good bye to Fire Chief Paul Presley before the end of the year. Mayor Toby Barker released a statement in regards to the 24-year legacy the first Hattiesburg African-American fire chief will leave behind.

"Chief Paul Presley has been an essential part of the Hattiesburg Fire Department for more than two decades. His career stands as a testament to current and future firefighters on what one person can accomplish when they commit themselves fully to our department. Both our department and our city are better because Chief Presley was here. We appreciate his leadership, and we wish him well in his retirement," said Mayor Barker.

Barker says his administration will move quickly to find the right leader for the Hattiesburg fire department.

"Our vision for the city includes a fire department with high morale, an additional fire station on Highway 49 North and a career ladder and pay scale that can optimally recruit and retain good firefighters,"

Presley's last day will be December 29.