The Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service welcomed a new fire chief and executive staff Monday morning.
Chief Cory D. Moon, Deputy Chief Julius Purifie and assistant chiefs Decimus Williamson, Matthew LaMonte and Larry Brown took the oath of office during a ceremony at Bill Harris Arena Monday morning.
Moon was raised in Birmingham and joined BFRS in March 2001. During his time with the department, he served as a firefighter/EMT from 2001 to 2012. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2012 and then to captain in 2015. He was promoted to battalion chief in 2017.
“I am humbled and honored to serve as the fire chief of the city I grew up loving. The gravity of the position I hold is not lost on me. I accept it and I look forward to facing all the challenges that come along with it,” Moon said after he took the oath of office.
During his remarks, Moon asked residents to remember the lives lost in fires over the last few days and to ensure they have working smoke detectors in their homes. He said BFRS will provide and install a smoke detector for free.
“With your help, we can prevent these type of tragedies," he said.
During the ceremony, Woodfin also honored three retiring BFRS chiefs: Interim Chief John Whitmer, Interim Deputy Chief Raymond Williams and Assistant Fire Chief Donald Jones.
Whitmer and Raymond Williams, who is the interim deputy fire chief, will retire on Friday, Jan. 31. Donald Jones, assistant fire chief, will retire on Friday, Feb. 14.
“Your contributions will forever be cherished by this city, Birmingham, as not mere public servants, but as heroes," Woodfin said.
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