Dallas fire chief to retire in March 2016
Dallas Fire Rescue Chief Louie Bright on Friday announced his plan to retire next year.
Bright said he will leave the department in March 2016. He's led Dallas Fire Rescue since April 2012 and has been with the department since 1981.
Bright said the timing to leave is right and he wants to spend more time with his family.
Bright’s tenure as chief has largely been uneventful with one exception – the 2013 death of firefighter Stanley Wilson while battling a condo fire. A nearly year and a half investigation deemed Wilson’s death preventable.
The lengthy investigation into the death and the fact that no one was disciplined upset Wilson’s widow and some firefighters.
City leaders released statements on Friday lauding Bright’s service and wishing him well in retirement.
The city manager will begin a national search for Bright’s replacement next month.