3 finalists named in Waco Fire Department chief search

“Each of these individuals brings a unique set of skills, extensive experience and a deep commitment to public safety,” City Manager Bradley Ford said in a news release announcing the finalists Friday.

The finalists are Christopher Perez, who has 26 years of experience in the fire service and serves as deputy fire chief for the city of Laredo; Ricardo Quintero, whose firefighting career began in 1993 in Corpus Christi, where he serves as a battalion chief; and Scott Walker, who has 30 years of firefighting experience with the city of Phoenix, where he serves as executive assistant to the fire chief.

Candidates will participate in on-site interviews on June 3, 4 and 5, including city tours and meetings with members of the fire department and other city and community leaders.

Kevin McGee has served as Waco's interim fire chief since December, his second stint in the role. Former Chief Gregory Summers announced his retirement in October after more than three years in Waco and more than 40 years in the fire service, primarily in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Waco firefighters union issued a vote of no confidence in Summers shortly before announcing his retirement, but city and union officials have not publicly discussed the motivation for the vote. Summers said it played no role in his decision to retire and that he stands by his record, including the growth of the Waco Fire Department under his leadership.

All three finalists to become the next boss have educational credentials that back up their decades of experience.

Perez is a graduate of the Texas Association of Fire Chiefs Academy and the Texas A&M–Fire Service Chief Executive Officer Engineering Extension Service Program. He holds a bachelor's degree in fire administration and fire investigation from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama, and an associate's degree in fire science from Kilgore College.

He has held positions such as district chief, captain, driver and assistant driver for the Laredo Fire Department.

Quintero holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in data analytics and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in management from the University of the Incarnate World in San Antonio. He also holds a degree in fire science from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi.

His leadership positions at the Corpus Christi Fire Department include Deputy Fire Chief, Interim Fire Chief and Fire Captain.

Quintero has also served as an adjunct faculty member in fire science with Del Mar College since 1996. He has worked to establish a dual credit program for high school students as well as a “civilian to paramedic” training program.

Walker holds a bachelor's degree in public safety and emergency management from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, and an associate's degree in fire science from Phoenix Community College. He also completed the US Naval Leadership Graduate Program.

He has worked, managed and directed all aspects of a modern, all-hazards fire department in a variety of roles including fire operations, fire prevention, emergency management, fire logistics, public information and fiscal management.

Ford said he is confident each candidate has the potential to lead the Waco Fire Department.

“The safety and well-being of our community is paramount, and I am excited about the future of our fire services under the leadership of one of these exceptional individuals,” he said.

The city chose recruiting firm SGR to assist in the fire chief candidate search, resulting in a candidate pool of 60 applications from 20 states and two other nations.