Taylor will end his term as fire chief at the end of the month. He has served as fire chief for the city since May 2001. Before that, he served as the city’s fire marshal for four years.

"It has been my pleasure to serve the city of Gainesville as both fire marshal and fire chief over the past 10 years," Taylor stated in a press release issued today. "I appreciate the support of the administration and City Council and will miss everyone."

City Manager Bryan Shuler said Taylor played a critical role in bringing the Gainesville-Hall County emergency preparedness plan up to date, and the city fire department maintained a Class II insurance rating under his leadership.

"He did a good job as chief," Shuler said of Taylor.

Shuler plans to appoint an interim fire chief by the end of the month.

"I want to sit down and talk with the management staff at the fire department and also with the chief to get his ideas on what he thinks would be an appropriate appointment," Shuler said.

"I’m sure we’ll find a qualified replacement for him," Gainesville Mayor Bob Hamrick said. "Certainly our department will continue to provide the excellent service in fire protection."

Hamrick said he hates to see Taylor leave the Gainesville Fire Department because of his leadership and knowledge of the department.

"We have had some excellent chiefs in the past, and certainly Dick has exemplified that," Hamrick said.