Mayor Ron Littlefield has named Capt. Craig Haney as the city's new fire marshal.

Capt. Haney has served as a firefighter in the Chattanooga Fire Department since July 1987 and has headed the Fire Investigative Division since December 2001.

Mayor Littlefield said, "I chose Capt. Haney after an exhaustive search both inside and outside of the Chattanooga Fire Department and after the recommendation of Chief Wendell Rowe.

"He impresses me as a quiet but steady and totally professional firefighter. I am confident he possesses the proper skills to move the fire marshal's position and division forward."

Capt. Haney will be responsible for performing supervisory/emergency work functions associated with enforcing fire prevention codes and overseeing fire prevention, fire investigation division, records division, water supply, data management and internal affairs operations.

Chief Wendell Rowe said, “I view Capt. Haney as an excellent choice. He will bring fresh ideas to the division as well as the department. The department is about to embark upon a new and different direction whereby emphasis will be placed on our approach to training and pre-fire planning.

“Capt. Haney has headed our fire investigation division for the past three years efficiently and effectively. I am confident he will now serve us well as fire marshal.”

He said a replacement for Capt. Haney heading fire investigations will likely be made from within the department.

Capt. Haney obtained his license from Chattanooga State Tech. He is an emergency medical tech at the paramedic level. He has several certifications related to emergency services including: advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support.

Capt. Haney received a commendation in 1988 from Chief Jerry Evans for outstanding performance at the Mary Walker Towers fire in August 1988.

He was appointed by Chief Jim Coppinger to head the arson division in 2002.

Capt. Haney has taken two National Fire Academy courses in Fire and Arson Investigation.

Capt. Craig Haney has been married to Kelli for 12 years and has two children, a daughter and son.

Chip O'Dell of Local 820 Firefighters Union said the union is "very pleased with Mayor Littlefield's choices thus far."

He said, "We had three recommendations for fire chief - Wendell Rowe, Randy Parker and Craig Haney. All three of those have now been named to top positions."