Haleyville Fire Chief Jeff Postell has announced his resignation from the department, in order to take a position with the State Fire Marshal’s office. Postell is a 35-year veteran of the fire service, and served for several years as Haleyville’s fire marshal before accepting the job as chief. Officials say assistant chief Gary Sutliff is stepping up into the interim chief role.
Postell is not the only one to leave the fire department at the end of January. The department’s two full-time firefighters have worked out their notice, and—for now—volunteers and one part-time career fireman will staff the department.
According to a release by the department, it is the first time since 1979 they have operated without fulltime staff, but volunteers say they will be ready to respond to calls when Haleyville folks need them.
Haleyville Mayor Ray Boshell says there are currently three applicants for fire chief, and the city council voted at a recent meeting to post job openings for full-time firefighters in the department.