After 31 years with Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, Battalion Chief Melvin Brown will become head of the fire department in Daphne, Alabama.
During Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, the council and Mayor Randall Woodfin recognized Brown whose tenure with the city ends July 17.
Brown, 57, a Birmingham native and graduate of Phillips High School and Miles College, began with the Fire and Rescue Services Department in February 1989 and “I set a goal that first day to be the first African American fire chief of this department, because one thing that I’ve always done is tried my best to reach the top and have the greatest impact on whatever industry or establishment which I was a part of,” he said.
Brown has been named employee of the month on three different occasions, served as Captain of the Fire Investigation Bureau, Battalion Chief of Communication and Public Education.
Brown, who applied to be fire chief for the City of Birmingham said he was disappointed to not get the job, but it was meant for him to go to Daphne.
