Talented Chiefland Fire Captains Show Interest in Replacing Retiring Chief James Harris

Terry Witt- Spotlight Senior Reporter

Chiefland City Commissioners Monday decided they would look within their fire department for the next chief, and if that doesn’t work out, they will look outside the city for a chief.

Fire Chief James Harris, who has served the city for 12 years as the head firefighter, said both of his captains, Dwayne King and John Lake would make good fire chiefs. He declined to pick one over the other.

Harris is retiring as of Dec. 31 and will spend his retirement years living in Dixie County in a waterfront home on the Suwannee River that he and his wife purchased about a year ago.

As fire chief, Harris is earning $74,554.

He said he hired King, who lives near Chiefland, for his skills in writing grants and he hired Lake, who lives in Ocala, for his computer skills. Both men are veteran firefighters.

The deadline for the two men to submit their résumés, form letters as well as other information they wish to have reviewed by the board is Nov. 7. The city commission will meet after the Nov. 14 commission meeting to interview the candidates and pick the next chief.

If for some reason commissioners don’t want to hire either candidate, which is unlikely, City Manager Laura Cain would advertise the position and anyone could apply.

Harris encouraged commissioners to look within the department for their next fire chief rather than advertising for someone who would come in from the outside and start changing everything.

“A lot of people when they come in start spending money. They start tearing up and changing it to make it look like they’re doing something,” Harris said. “These two guys have worked here. They don’t have to do anything but keep doing what they’ve been doing. Both of them are capable of running the fire department. Lake is really good with computers. If he gets the job he’s still got more to do. If he gets the job, there’s another guy ready to step up to captain.”

Harris said King was instrumental in pushing for the purchase of a new fire truck. He worked with Deputy Clerk Belinda Wilkerson on writing the grant that ultimately was used to buy the truck.

“Dwayne did a lot of work on fire grants. He’s a very valuable asset. I hired him because he could do that,” Harris said. “I hired John Lake because of his computer skills and being able to write reports is very important. Either choice you make is good. I can’t tell you which one to hire.”

Harris said if the commission’s first choice doesn’t work out after he finishes his probation, they have a second good candidate that can take his place.

Mayor Chris Jones commended Harris on a job well done.

“I’ve learned a lot. I am a straightforward guy. For the first couple of years, we clashed but we got to know each other. I’ve been very happy with the service you’ve provided. Overall, the whole department does well, considering the budget you work with,” Jones said.

Harris said the big thing was the money. He said before the commission made arrangements for the fire department to be better funded, the department was always trying to fix old equipment. He said the added infusion of money and the higher salaries have brought about positive changes.

“I thank you for all the things you’ve done for the department. What you all have done is superb,” Harris said.

Cain, who was interviewed on Tuesday, agreed both men are talented.

“They are both well qualified. Dwayne has so much knowledge. I could go on and on and on. If not for Dwayne being there, we would not have the new fire truck,” Cain said. “Dwayne has a lot more experience and a lot more knowledge.”

She said King was hired part-time in 2015 and became full-time, and a captain, in 2016. Lake was hired part-time in 2015 and became full-time, and a captain in 2019.

Harris said his job mainly involves keeping everyone safe. He said the department has had few job-related injuries and only a couple of minor workers’ compensation claims.

“I’m going to retire proud of that. I don’t think anyone got hurt going to a call,” he said.