Texas fire chief placed on leave due to ‘personnel matter’

Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis has led the department since 2018 and holds a master’s degree in operational excellence and process improvement

September 24, 2025 07:37 AM

By Lillie Davidson
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

FORT WORTH, Texas — The chief of the Fort Worth Fire Department has been placed on paid administrative leave, city officials told the Star-Telegram.

Chief Jim Davis is on leave due to a “personnel matter,” and officials did not provide further details in an email Tuesday night. Davis has been the department’s chief since October 2018.

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Before coming to Fort Worth, Davis was responsible for training and education of firefighters and paramedics in Columbus, Ohio, according to his city bio.

Davis is a registered nurse, earned a master’s degree in operational excellence and process improvement from Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, and earned a doctorate in adult learning theory from the University of Pennsylvania.

He replaced Rudy Jackson, who retired after over 10 years at the helm of the department.

Assistant Chief Raymond Hill is serving as interim chief, officials said. Hill has been with the department for 31 years.

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