Gainesville Fire Chief Jon Canada on Monday named Chad Payne as Gainesville's new fire marshal.

"Through Chad's leadership and expertise we will continue our commitment to work closely with the citizens and community leaders to ensure the safety of the community through fire prevention and public education," Canada said in a news release.

Payne started his career as a firefighter in the U.S. Navy in 1990. He attended Lanier Technical College and the Georgia Regional Police Academy. He is certified as a fire inspector and arson investigator, and is a member of Safe Kids of Georgia and served as a reserve deputy with the Hall County Sheriff's Office.

Most recently, Payne served as a lieutenant with the Hall County Fire Services Fire Marshal's Office as a fire inspector and arson investigator.