INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Fire Chief Ernest Malone was reappointed Tuesday by Mayor-elect Joe Hogsett, who takes office in January.
“After thinking about what to say, I realized I still don’t have the words of how honored I am to be the chief of this great organization,” Chief Malone said at Tuesday’s news conference.
Chief Malone’s reappointment was overshadowed by news that Troy Riggs would replace Rick Hit as the new police chief, WIBC reported.
Malone took over as chief in Aug. 2014 after Brian Sanford was forced to retire due to ALS. He will report directly to the mayor rather than a public safety director.
“Every day as you drive through the city, you see fire stations and fire equipment,” Chief Malone said. “I want you to know that each time you see a man or woman wearing our proud uniform, you see a public servant dedicated to keeping you and your family safe.”
The Indianapolis Fire Department is seeking international accreditation, one of Malone’s goals when he first became chief. Only 183 departments in the U.S. have such accreditation.