Interim Fire Chief Jeffrey Segal has been appointed as the permanent head of Richmond Fire and Emergency Services, city officials announced this week.

Segal, who has served as interim chief since January, officially takes over Nov. 29 as the department launches new initiatives aimed at strengthening operations, expanding leadership and reinforcing accountability.

“I am grateful to be able to continue in service to a community I have grown to love deeply,” Segal said in a statement. “I look forward to building on this department’s strong legacy and thank the mayor and our CAO for entrusting me with this tremendous responsibility.”

Segal joined Richmond Fire and Emergency Services in 2020, overseeing the department’s North Division and serving as a shift commander. Before coming to Richmond, he spent more than 30 years with the Baltimore City Fire Department, advancing through several leadership roles including assistant chief and interim chief. 

Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald said Segal’s experience and leadership align with the city’s goals for ethical and effective service. 

“Chief Segal not only has the trust and respect of his department and the community, his commitment to ethical leadership and best-in-class service delivery fully aligns with both Mayor Avula’s vision for Richmond and the city’s rich firefighting legacy,” Donald said. 

As part of its restructuring, the department has created a new senior leadership position, Senior Business Officer, filled by City Organizational Strategist Jeff Gray. The role will oversee finances and administrative operations to ensure alignment with citywide standards. The department also recently hired an Internal Standards Officer to oversee compliance and fairness. 

“This new civilian Senior Business Officer will provide us with subject matter expertise to bring RFD’s finance and operations in line with citywide standards and industry best practices,” Segal said. 

In addition, the department is proposing three new policies designed to increase consistency and transparency: Fire Inspection Control Measures and Guidance, which standardizes inspection procedures across the city; Anti-Corruption Policy, emphasizing integrity and accountability; and Purchasing and Procurement Policy, ensuring responsible and streamlined spending. 

These efforts build on existing practices such as internal audits, supervisory reviews of inspection reports and random accountability checks. 

“Best-in-class service delivery is our citywide standard,” Donald said. “The combination of this new structure and enhanced policies will keep the Fire Department running smoothly and ensure the department meets the high administrative and ethical standards our residents expect.”