Will third time be the charm for Selma? The City Council has appointed a new fire chief, continuing the revolving door in the chief’s office that has been fueled by a tug-of-war between the city’s mayor and city council.
Walter Dailey, a 15-year veteran of the department, takes the reins after a bumpy few months. Fire Chief Willie Mason resigned Monday after less than three months on the job. The mayor appointed Capt. Franklin Edwards as interim chief on Tuesday. Then the city council voted to make Dailey, also a captain, the chief the next day.
Dailey told the Alabama News Network he is looking forward to the new post. One of his first challenges will be expanding the department. Chief Mason had managed to recruit some new firefighters, bringing the ranks up to 31 from 19.
Now Dailey will complete training the new recruits and bringing more people to the department, which is comprised of 54 people when at full strength.
Time will tell if this will quiet the fighting between the council, which has the legal right to appoint the fire chief, and the mayor, who would like authority to put his own choice in the job.
