CHARLOTTESVILLE (WINA) – Charlottesville has a new fire chief… or sort of new.
City Manager Sam Sanders telling City Council Monday night he’s chosen the interim chief Michael Thomas as the permanent chief. Thomas was a deputy chief chosen as interim in October after Hezedean Smith left for Florida even though Thomas had only been with CFD for about 100 days at the time. Interim City Manager Mike Rogers pointed out at the time Thomas had 31 years of experience at various levels in the Lynchburg Fire Department.

Mayor Lloyd Snook said he had spoken in the past week to some in the fire department, and they told him unsolicited to “tell Sam Sanders they have the right guy already”. Thomas, speaking briefly to Council after Sanders made his announcement, said he is honored and committed to the community. He thanked the community, and his fellow fire department personnel for their support.