By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio City Council members have confirmed the appointment of David E. Harrison as interim fire chief.
Harrison will steer the Del Rio Fire Department until a new permanent chief is hired. DRFD Chief Joe Harrington will retire from the department effective June 18 at 5 p.m.
The council during its June 8 regular meeting unanimously approved a resolution confirming Harrison’s appointment as interim chief.
Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano made the motion to approve the resolution, with Councilman Jim DeReus giving the second.
Both Harrington and Harrison were present during the meeting.
After giving the second, DeReus told Harrington, “Chief, thank you for your years and years. We appreciate all the hard work . . . Chief Harrison, congratulations.”
“Joe, I wish you the best. Thank you for your years of service,” Mayor Pro-Tem Alfredo “Fred” Carranza Jr. said.
Councilwoman Alexandra Falcon Calderon said she knew she would be seeing Harrington at the Whitehead Memorial Museum, where they have both volunteered.
“I also want to thank you for your service to the fire department. God bless you,” she added.
“Joe and I go way back,” said Councilman Steven Webb, who formerly served with the Del Rio Police Department. “We got to be friends and worked together on different projects . . . We’ve had a good run. Thank you for your service.”
He also told Harrison, “I know you have support from the people you work with. I spoke to a couple of them and they’re very much on board with your selection right now.”
“I appreciate your service to Del Rio. Long life and good health,” Councilman J.P. Sanchez said.
Councilman Raul C. Ojeda said he has learned a lot from the retiring chief.
Lozano also thanked the chief and said he looked forward to seeing him “out and about enjoying your retirement.”
The resolution to confirm Harrison’s appointment was unanimously approved.
Harrison, a 1978 graduate of Del Rio High School, joined the DRFD in 1992. He worked his way through the department’s ranks, serving as firefighter, fire engineer, fire lieutenant, administrative fire captain and assistant fire chief.
Harrison has served as deputy fire chief, the department’s second-in-command, since 2017. Harrison has earned numerous certifications over the course of his career and has participated in a variety of professional enhancement trainings.
He has indicated he plans to apply for the position of fire chief.
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